/•* 

V    / 


THE      LESLIE      STORIES. 


NEYEE  GIVE  UP; 


OB, 


THE     NEWS-BOYS. 


BT 

MRS.  MADELINE   LESLIE, 

AUTHOR  OF  "TIM  THE  SCISSORS-GRINDER,"  "EARNINO  AND  SPENDING,' 

"UP   THE    LADDER,"   "THE    FRANK1E    SERIES," 

"  TI1E  ROBIN  SERIES,"  ETC. 


"  Cast  thy  bread  upon  the  water§;  for  thou  shalt  find  ii 
after  many  days." 


BOSTON: 
GRAVES      AND      YOUNG; 

24       COBNHILL. 

NEW   YORK:    SIIET,DON   AND   COMPANY. 
CINCIKKATI  :  OEO.  S.  ELANCI1ARD. 

1-664. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1883, 

BY  A.  R.  BAKER. 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


AN  DO  V  E  R : 
BLBCTROTYPBD    BY     W.     F.     DRAPER. 


STACK 

ANNtt 

5125902 


WILLIAM  A.   BOOTH,   ESQ., 

o%r  (Dffims  of  %  (fljUimt's  ^Ub  JSodetg, 

EMBEACINO   THE  JJKWS-BOYS1  LOUOINO-HOUSE 
IN   NEW  YORK  CITY, 

THIS   LITTLE   VOLUME   IS    RESPECTFULLY   INSCRIBED, 

BY    THE    AUTHOR, 

IH  TESTIMONY  OF  HER    HIOH    APPRECIATION    OF    THEIR    HUHANB 
AND    BENEVOLENT    ENTERPRISES. 


INTRODUCTION. 


THE  subject  of  this  little  volume  was  sug- 
gested by  a  visit  to  the  humane  institutions  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  Children's  Aid  Society 
in  the  city  of  New  York:  and  the  author  would 
here  most  gratefully  acknowledge  her  indebted- 
ness to  the  Superintendents  of  those  institutions 
for  copies  of  their  annual  reports,  and  for  many 
of  the  facts  contained  in  this  narrative. 

If  the  book  encourages  the  inmates  of  those 
asylums  to  adopt  the  motto  on  its  title-page, 
and  "  NEVER  GIVE  UP  "  the  hope  nor  the  ef- 
fort of  attaining  to  stations  of  usefulness  and 
honor  ;  and  if  it  serve  in  any  humble  degree 


6  INTRODUCTION. 

to  commend  these  humane  and  benevolent  enter- 
prises to  the  increased  confidence  and  patronage 
of  the  Christian  public,  its  object  will  be  at- 
tained. 

WELLESLBY,  SEPTEMBKB,  1863. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PAOE 

JACK  THE  NEWS-BOY,  ...  11 


CHAPTER    H. 
JACK   LEFT  AN  ORPHAN, 24 

CHAPTER  III. 

JACK  AT   THE   LODGING-HOUSE, 35 

CHAPTER  IV. 
JACK'S  NEW  FRIENDS, 53 

CHAPTER  V. 

JACK'S  DINNER-PARTY, -      .          65 

CHAPTER  VI. 
THE  NEWS-BOY'S  SPEECH, 85 

CHAPTER  VII. 

JACK  ASPIRING, 94 

CHAPTER  Yin. 

VISIT   TO  THE   LODGING-HOUSE, 107 

8 


CONTENTS.  9 

CHAPTER  IX. 

PAGE 

JACK  AND  THE  ATTORNEY, 122 

CHAPTER  X. 

JACK  A   CLERK, 124 

CHAPTER  XI. 

LETTERS   FROM  JACK'S   FRIENDS, 146 

CHAPTER  Xn. 

JACK  AT  A  WEDDING, 156 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

EDWARD  A  PRINTER, 168 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

EDWARD   IN   TROUBLE, 180 

CHAPTER  XV. 

THE   THEFT   DISCOVERY, 191 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

EDWARD  REINSTATED, 204 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
EDWARD'S  NEW  HOME, 219 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
JACK  AND   HIS   SAVIOUR,  236 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
JACK  AN  ACTIVE  CHRISTIAN, 245 


NEVER  GIVE  UP. 


CHAPTER  I. 

JACK    THE    NEWS-BOY. 

MORNING  ede-shun,  Journal  o'  Commerce 
—  last  speech  and  exccu-tion  o'  Professor 
Watson." 

I  was  walking  leisurely  through  Broadway 
when  these  words,  drawled  out  by  a  score  of 
news-boys,  arrested  my  attention.  The  public 
was  at  this  time  greatly  excited  by  this  tragedy ; 
and  I,  in  common  with  others,  was  eager  to 
learn  anything  new  that  had  transpired  con- 
cerning it.  I  turned,  therefore,  to  one  of  the 
little  fellows  who  was  pulling  my  coat,  pur- 
chased a  paper,  and  should  probably  have 

never  thought  of  him  again,  had  it  not  been 

11 


12  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

for  the  following  slight  circumstance,  which,  I 
love  to  reflect  had  an  important  bearing  on 
the  future  history  of  the  boy. 

In  paying  him  the  four  cents  which  were  his 
due,  I  counted  into  his  hand  some  loose  coppers 
I  found  in  my  pocket ;  and  among  them,  it 
seemed,  one  sixpence  and  a  shilling-piece.  I 
turned  away,  and  was  several  steps  from  him, 
when  he  ran  after  me  and,  touching  my  elbow, 
said,  "  Sir,  you  gave  me  too  much." 

"  Ah,  did  I  ?  let  me  see ;  are  you  sure  I  gave 
you  all  that  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir,  I'm  sure." 

The  words  that  rose  to  my  lips  were,  "  Keep 
them,  my  lad ;  I'm  glad  you're  so  honest." 
But  there  was  something  in  his  eager,  wistful 
look  that  arrested  my  attention,  and  I  said, 
"  Well,  you  see  that  office  over  there." 

"  The  one  with  the  sign  '  E.  0.  Sennott  ? '  " 

"  Yes,  that's  my  name ;  come  up  there  after 
you  sell  your  papers :  I  want  to  talk  with  you." 


JACK   THE   NEWS-BOY.  13 

"  Wont  you  take  the  money,  sir  ?  " 

"  You  can  bring  it  with  you."  "This  will 
put  his  honesty  to  a  further  test,"  I  said  to 
myself,  as  I  hurried  on. 

I  was  soon  absorbed  in  my  paper,  and  I  had 
quite  forgotten  my  morning  acquaintance, 
when  I  heard  a  quick  step  on  the  stairs,  fol- 
lowed by  a  low  knock  at  my  office  door,  and 
presently  the  little  news-boy  stood  before  me. 

"  Take  a  seat,"  I  said,  but  could  not  help 
smiling  when  I  saw  him  perched  on  a  high 
stool  on  which  my  clerk  sat  at  the  desk,  his 
bare  feet  dangling  under  him. 

"  Are  you  one  of  Mr.  Rogers's  boys  ?  "  I 
asked. 

"  No,  sir.  I'm  Jack  Stetson ;  I  used  to  sell 
candy  ;  but  now  I'm  promoted  to  the  Journal 
o'  Commerce." 

"  I  mean,"  I  added,  with  a  smile,  "  are  you 
one  of  the  Lodging-IIouse  boys,  —  the  one  Mr. 
Rogers's  keeps  ?  " 


14  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

"  Oh  no,  sir !  "  returning  the  smile  ;  "  the 
old  woman  isn't  dead  yet." 

"  What  old  woman  ?  " 

"  My  mother,  sir." 

"  And  is  she  sick  ?  " 

His  voice  changed  at  once,  and  there  was 
the  same  earnest  gaze  which  fixed  my  atten- 
tion in  the  morning. 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  she  says  she's  most  got  through." 

"  And  who  supports  her  ?  " 

"  I  do,  sir ;  I  take  care  of  her  every  night" 

"  How  old  are  you,  Jack  ?  " 

"  Eleven,  come  Christmas." 

My  thoughts  reverted,  on  the  instant,  to  my 
own  boy,  within  a  few  months  of  the  same  age, 
but  whom  his  mother  thought  too  young  to 
walk  in  the  street  by  himself.  Yet  here  was  a 
lad  left  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world ;  aye, 
and  to  support  his  mother,  too. 

"  Here's  the  money,  sir,"  he  said,  opening 


JACK   THE  NEWS-BOY.  15 

his  hand,  which  had  been  tightly  closed  over 
the  silver  pieces. 

I  took  them  from  him  and  laid  them  on  the 
table.  There  was  not  the  slightest  shade  of  dis- 
appointment visible  on  his  good-humored  face. 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you  are  honest,  Jack.  It 
proves  to  me  that  you  have  a  good  mother,  who 
has  carefully  taught  you  what  is  right." 

He  laughed.  "  The  boys  called  me  spooney 
for  not  keeping  the  money." 

"  AVell,  you  see  they  were  mistaken,  for  you 
have  made  a  good  friend  by  your  honesty.  But 
about  your  mother  —  don't  you  think  a  doctor 
could  do  her  good  ?  " 

"  She  says  not,  sir.  She  says  she's  most 
through." 

"  And  does  she  remain  alone,  while  you  are 
selling  your  papers  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  mostly ;  but  there's  a  woman  on 
our  flight  who  is  kind  to  her,  she  and  her 
daughters." 


16  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

"  Where  do  you  live  ?  " 

He  gave  me  the  street  and  number,  which  I 
made  a  memorandum  of  on  the  back  of  a  card. 

A  neighboring  clock  sounded  ten,  when,  with 
a  start,  Jack  said,  "It's  my  school-time,  sir ; 
shall  I  go  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  but  I  am  surprised  that  you  can 
attend  school." 

"  The  old  woman  keeps  me  at  it,"  he  said, 
laughing  and  nodding  his  good-bye. 

After  dinner  I  sat  in  a  luxurious  easy  chair, 
my  feet  lazily  stretched  upon  another,  just 
falling  into  forgetfulness  of  the  world  and  its 
cares,  when,  with  a  start,  I  remembered  a  re- 
solve I  had  made  to  visit  the  news-boy.  It 
was  really  an  effort  to  give  up  the  fifteen  min- 
utes usually  devoted  to  Somnus  ;  but  I  con- 
quered myself,  and,  calling  my  only  son  Alfred, 
we  sallied  forth  in  quest  of  the  widow  Stetson. 

It  was  not  a  difficult  search.  On  entering 
the  street  I -looked  for  the  number  Jack  had 


JACK   THE   NEWS-EOY.  17 

designated,  and  I  inquired  for  a  sick  woman 
by  the  name  of  Stetson,  and  was  directed  to  the 
fourth  flight,  right-hand  door. 

I  knocked,  and  heard  a  feeble  voice  answer, 
"  Come  in." 

The  woman  was  sitting  up  in  bed  mending 
a  boy's  jacket;  but  it  was  easy  to  see  the  task 
was  beyond  her  strength. 

"  I  am  a  friend  to  Jack,"  I  said  at  once, 
"  and  promised  him  I  would  call  and  see 
you." 

"  If  you  and  the  young  gentleman  will 
please  take  scats,  sir,"  she  went  on,  in  a  hesi- 
tating voice,  "1  am  too  sick  to  rise." 

"  Jack  is  at  school,  I  suppose." 

"  Yes,  sir.  He  is  obliged  to  be  somewhat 
irregular  ;  but  I  want  him  to  get  all  the  learn- 
ing he  can." 

There  was  the  same  look  in  the  eye  which 
she  bent  on  me  as  had  interested  me  in  her 

son.     I  answered,  "  Jack  is  a  good  boy,"  and 
2 


18  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

repeated  the  incident  of  the  morning.  My  at- 
tention was  so  engaged  in  noticing  how  eagerly 
Alfred  swallowed  the  story,  that  not  until  I 
heard  a  quick  sob  did  I  perceive  how  much 
the  mother  was  affected. 

She  wiped  her  eyes  with  the  corner  of  the 
sheet  slyly,  as  if  ashamed  of  her  emotion,  when 
I  added,  "  I'm  sure  he  will  reward  you  for 
the  pains  you  have  taken  to  teach  him  his 
duty." 

"  Thank  you,  sir.  Nothing  you  could  have 
told  me  would  have  given  so  much  pleasure." 
Her  voice  shook,  but  became  firmer  as  she 
added,  "  Jack  is  a  good  boy,  and  its  my  prayer 
day  and  night  that,  when  I  'm  gone,  he  may 
remember  my  instructions.  I'm  most  through, 
sir,  and  I'm  glad  to  go ;  but  it's  hard  leaving  a 
child  like  him. " 

"  But  you  remember  God's  promises  to  the 
fatherless,  especially  to  the  children  of  those 
who  put  their  trust  in  him  :  '  I  will  be  a  God 


JACK   THE   NEWS-BOY.  19 

to  thee,  and  to  thy  seed  after  thee.'  The 
children  of  thy  servants  shall  continue,  and 
their  seed  shall  be  established  before  thee.'  " 

"  Yes,  sir,"  she  answered,  her  eyes  kindling, 
and  another,  *  I  will  pour  my  blessing  upon 
thine  offspring.'  These  are  precious  indeed, 
and  many  a  night  have  I  feasted  my  soul  upon 
them.  But,  sir,  my  faith  is  often  weak.  I  am 
a  poor,  feeble  creature  at  best,  and  sometimes 
I  lose  hold  of  God's  promises,  and  then  I  trem- 
ble at  the  thought  of  leaving  my  boy  alone  to 
fight  his  battle  with  the  world." 

Alfred  drew  closer  to  my  side,  and  clasped 
my  hand.  "  Would  my  faith  conquer  in  such 
an  hour  ?  "  was  a  question  which  forced  itself 
upon  me. 

There  was  something  in  the  appearance  and 
language  of  the  woman  which  denoted  that  at 
some  time  in  her  life  she  had  been  in  happier 
circumstances.  I  hinted  the  fact,  and  she  re- 
sponded frankly. 


20  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

"  I  was  adopted  by  a  lady  in  this  city  when 
my  parents  died,  and  was  kept  at  school  till 
my  eighteenth  year.  She  meant  to  prepare  me 
to  be  a  teacher,  but  soon  after  that  time  she 
was  taken  sick,  and  I  would  not  leave  her ;  I 
nursed  her  two  years,  when  she  died,  leaving 
me  three  hundred  dollars.  Soon  after  I  was 
married,  and  lived  most  happily  until  Jack 
reached  his  fifth  summer,  when  my  husband, 
who  was  a  carpenter,  fell  from  the  scaffold- 
ing and  received  such  an  injury  on  his  head 
that  he  lived  but  a  few  days. 

"  His  death  was  a  dreadful  shock  to  me  ;  but 
I  bore  up  as  well  as  I  could,  for  the  sake  of  our 
little  boy.  At  that  time  I  had  not  learned  the 
comfort  of  going  to  my  Saviour  with  all  my 
trials ;  but  Mr.  Stetson's  consistent  example 
and  his  earnest  prayers  for  me  had  not  been  in 
vain.  He  had  not  been  gone  but  a  few  months 
before  I  was  enabled  to  cast  myself,  my  poor, 


JACK   THE   NEWS-BOY.  21 

bleeding  heart  and  all  its  burdens,  at  the  foot 
of  the  cross." 

"  For  a  number  of  years  I  earned  a  com- 
fortable support  by  selling  candy,  which  I  made 
for  the  little  boys  to  sell  again  in  the  streets, 
keeping  Jack  at  school ;  but  before  he  was  ten 
he  insisted  he  was  old  enough  to  earn  money 
for  me,  and  did  so  with  the  others,  until  I  was 
so  sick  I  was  obliged  to  give  up.  Then  he  ob- 
tained papers  to  sell,  while  I  sewed  for  the  slop- 
shops ;  and  I  have  great  reason  to  be  thankful 
that  he  has  not  been  obliged  to  give  up  his 
learning." 

"•  He  is  in  school  now,  I  suppose,"  I  re- 
marked, as  she  ceased  speaking. 

A  pleasant  smile  lighted  her  face. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  he  brought  me  an  orange,  and 
placed  my  drink  where  I  could  reach  it,  and 
then  ran  off  again.  0,  sir,  it's  a  great  trial  to 
leave  such  a  boy  exposed  to  the  temptations  of 
a  city  like  this." 


22  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

I  did  not  answer,  for  at  this  moment  the 
door  opened  softly  and  a  youthful  face  peeped 
in,  but  was  immediately  withdrawn. 

"  She  is  the  daughter  of  the  woman  who 
lives  in  the  opposite  chamber,"  said  Mrs.  Stet- 
son, in  answer  to  my  look  of  inquiry. 

"  She  or  her  mother  comes  in,  many  times  in 
the  day  to  see  whether  I  want  anything.  In 
return  Jack  brings  from  the  shop  and  carries 
back  their  bundles  of  work." 

"  I  shall  ask  our  family  physician  to  call  and 
see  you,"  I  said,  rising,  and  if  you  need  any- 
thing more  than  the  few  things  I  shall  send 
here,  Jack  knows  my  office,  and  can  come  to 
me  there." 

All  this  time  I  noticed  that  Alfred  stood 
gazing  alternately  at  me  and  the  widow,  his 
large  eyes  wearing  that  spiritual  look  which  so 
often  reminded  me  of  his  dear  sister  who  was 
now  resting  in  the  bosom  of  her  Saviour.  As 
I  rose,  he  whispered, "  Wont  you  pray,  father  ?  " 


JACK   THE   NEWS-BOY.  23 

I  repeated  his  request,  which  the  woman 
earnestly  seconded,  when,  approaching  nearer 
to  the  bed,  we  poured  our  united  supplications 
into  the  ear  of  the  Most  High. 


CHAPTER  II. 

JACK    LEFT    AN    ORPHAN. 

TT  was  several  weeks  after  the  occurrence 
of  the  above  incidents,  when,  one  morning, 
as  I  happened  to  be  looking  from  my  office- 
window,  I  saw  a  number  of  boys  on  the  oppo- 
site pavement  gathered  about  two  of  their 
number,  who  were  fighting  "  with  a  will."  As 
I  stood  watching  them  and  wondering  the  po- 
lice did  not  interfere,  I  recognized  in  one  of 
the  young  combatants  Jack  Stetson,  the  news- 
boy. 

Acting  on  the  impulse  of  the  moment,  I  took 
my  hat  and  went  down  stairs  ;  but  the  dispute 
seemed  to  be  rather  suddenly  settled ;  for,  when 

I  reached  the  spot,  Jack  was  taking  his  papers 

24 


NEVER   GIVE   UP.  Z 

from  a  lad  who  stood  by,  and  immediately 
commenced  his  monotonous  drawl  — 

"  Morning  ede-shun  Journal  o'  Commerce," 
etc. 

He  colored  to  the  roots  of  his  hair  when  he 
saw  me,  but  held  out  a  paper  saying, "  Morning 
edition,  sir  ?  " 

"  How  is  your  mother,  Jack  ?  "  I  asked, 
gravely. 

"  She  says  she's  most  through,  sir.  She's 
been  wanting  to  see  you  to  thank  you  for —  " 

"Never  mind  that  Jack.  What  was  the 
matter  with  you  this  morning  ?  " 

His  eyes  met  mine  frankly,  as  he  said,  "  He 
charged  me  with  stealing  his  papers,  sir." 

"  But  that  was  not  true  ?  " 

"  No,  indeed,  sir  ;  I  bought  my  papers  and 
paid  for  them.  He  says  he  paid  for  his,  and 
left  them  a  moment,  when  they  were  gone." 

"  Did  you  ever  steal  ?  " 

I  was  sorry  the  moment  I  had  asked  the 


20  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

question,  for  it  occasioned  such  distress,  I  ex- 
pected to  bear  a  vehement  denial ;  but  instead 
of  that  he  answered,  softly : 

"  Yes,  sir,  once." 

"  I'm  sorry  for  that,  Jack,  and  I'm  sure  you 
must  be  sorry  too." 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Do  you  ever  swear  ? 

"  Sometimes  I  do,  'sir  ;  but  most  times  I 
don't." 

"  And  tell  lies  ?  " 

He  drew  himself  up  almost  haughtily. 

"  No,  sir;  nobody  can  say  as  I  tell  lies." 

"  Well,  Jack,  it's  almost  time  for  you  to  go 
to  school,  and  you  have  still  a  pile  of  papers." 

"  So  I  have,  sir,"  and  with  a  little  nod  he 
turned  away  ;  and  I  presently  heard  his  voice 
some  distance  up  the  street  calling  out,  "  Morn- 
ing ede-shun,"  etc. 

When  I  went  home  I  related  to  Alfred  my 
meeting  with  the  young  news-boy  for  whom 


JACK    LEFT   AN    ORPHAN.  27 

he  felt  a  particular  interest.  He  seemed  quite 
excited  with  Jack's  confession  that  he  had 
once  been  guilty  of  stealing  ;  but  said,  after 
thinking  some  time,  "  I'm  glad  he  told  the 
truth  about  it,  father." 

The  next  day  I  left  the  city  for  a  fortnight. 
A  few  mornings  after  my  return,  I  felt  some 
one  gently  pulling  my  coat,  and  turning  around 
saw  Jack.  His  eyes  were  red  with  crying, 
though  his  face  was  very  pale. 

"  Mother's  most  through,"  he  said  in  a  husky 
tone.  "  She's  dying  now,  sir." 

I  saw  that  his  arm  was  full  of  papers,  and 
comprehended  at  once  that  his  heart  was  too 
heavy  to  sell  them. 

"  Do  you  know  Jack  ?  "  I  asked  another  lad 
who  stood  close  by. 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  You  may  sell  his  Journals  this  morning ; 
and  I  will  pay  you  for  it.  Do  you  agree  to 
this?" 


28  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Come,  Jack,"  I  said,  "  I  will  go  with  you 
to  see  your  mother.  She  may  not  be  as  bad 
as  you  think." 

His  lips  quivered,  but  he  did  not  reply. 

We  were  but  just  in  time.  When  we  en- 
tered the  room,  the  dying  woman  was  propped 
up  in  bed,  a  chair  being  placed  behind  to  keep 
her  in  an  upright  position.  She  looked  ea- 
gerly toward  the  door,  and  made  a  motion  of 
gratitude  when  she  saw  Jack. 

He  bounded  toward  the  bed,  and  laid  his 
head  down  beside  her  pale  hand,  which  he 
kept  kissing. 

I  looked  in  vain  for  any  trace  of  the  dis- 
tress she  had  shown  at  our  last  interview.  Her 
countenance  was  fairly  illumined,  showing  that 
her  soul  was  at  peace. 

The  young  girl  I  had  seen  before  and  her 
mother  were  present,  and  made  way  for  me  to 
come  to  the  bed.  Mrs.  Stetson  was  almost  past 


JACK    £EFT   AN    ORPHAN.  29 

speaking,  but  with  a  glance  toward  her  son  she 
faltered  out  the  words,  "  God  is  good: — I  can 
trust  my  boy  —  with  him  —  He  gives  me  dying 
grace." 

I  repeated  the  promises  so  precious  to  the 
believer,  "  Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace 
whose  mind  is  stayed  on  thee."  "  Though  I 
walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death, 
I  will  fear  no  evil ;  for  thou  art  with  me,  thy 
rod  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me." 

-  She  made  a  motion  of  assent,  and  then  inti- 
mated a  wish  that  I  should  pray. 

"We  knelt  around  the  lowly  bed,  and  com- 
mitted the  dying  soul  to  God.  When  we 
arose,  death  had  been  exchanged  for  victory. 
Only  the  soul's  empty  casement  lay  before  us. 

I  was  greatly  affected  at  poor  Jack's  grief 
when  he  found  his  mother  really  had  left  him. 
He  did  not  cry  aloud  ;  but  he  laid  his  head  on 
the  table,  and  sobbed  as  if  his  heart  was  broken. 

I  made  a  few  arrangements  for  the  simple 


30  NEVER   GIVE  UP. 

t 

funeral,  and  then  left  the  woman  to  prepare 
the  body  for  the  grave.  Two  days  later,  tak- 
ing Alfred  with  me,  we  ascended  the  creaking 
stairs  to  the  chamber  of  the  dead.  The  min- 
ister was  already  there,  and  the  service  just 
about  to  begin. 

Poor  Jack  sat  apart  from  the  rest,  his  face 
very  pale  but  calm.  When  the  service  was 
completed,  the  coffin  was  removed  with  diffi- 
culty down  the  steep,  narrow  flights,  placed  in 
the  hearse,  and  then  Jack  took  his  position 
behind  as  chief  and  only  mourner. 

All  this  time  Alfred  had  watched  the  pro- 
ceedings with  absorbing  interest.  When  he 
saw  the  little  fellow  apparently  deserted,  he 
gave  one  quick,  earnest  glance  into  my  face, 
and  then,  without  a  word,  darted  forward,  and 
pressed  his  small  gloved  hand  into  that  of  the 
sorrowing  news-boy. 

I  saw  Jack's  face  flush  at  this  unexpected 
companionship,  though  neither  of  them  spoke ; 


JACK    LEFT  AN    ORPHAN.  31 

while  my  own  heart  swelled  with  pleasure  at 
the  thought  of  my  boy's  unaffected  sympathy 
with  grief. 

In  accordance  with  my  request,  the  poor 
little  orphan  called  in  a  short  time  at  my 
office,  when  I  gave  him  the  following  note  to 
Mr.  Rogers,  the  well-known  Superintendent 
of  the  News-Boy's  Lodging-House. 

"  DEAR  SIR  :  —  The  bearer  of  this  is  a  news- 
boy, lately  deprived  of  his  mother  and  his 
home.  He  has  been  carefully  taught  his 
duties  to  his  Maker,  and  it  seems  especially 
desirable  that  he  should  enjoy  the  benefit  of 
your  worthy  institution. 

With  respect,        E.  0.  SENNOTT." 

I  now  regularly  bought  my  morning  paper 
of  Jack,  who  seemed  to  regard  me  with  the 
most  friendly  feelings.  Every  day  I  was  beset 
by  Alfred  for  further  intelligence  of  the  news- 
boy, and  occasionally  they  met  at  my  office. 


32  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

The  stories  Jack  told  of  Mr.  Rogers's  boys,  as 
those  belonging  to  the  Lodging-House  were 
called,  much  amused  us.  He  said  they  had 
regular  games  there  during  the  evening,  and 
a  school  which  all  were  urged  to  attend.  Each 
boy  had  a  bed  to  himself  and  a  comfortable 
supper,  for  which  only  a  nominal  price  was 
paid.  They  were  encouraged  to  lay  aside  their 
earnings  by  putting  them  into  a  bank,  con- 
nected with  the  establishment ;  every  cent 
being  credited  to  them,  for  the  supply  of  their 
future  necessities ;  and  every  attention  was 
paid  to  their  moral  training,  which  the  in- 
genuity of  the  excellent  Superintendent  could 
devise. 

Some  of  these  news-boys  had  been  outcasts 
from  society.  Taught  to  lie,  steal,  and  swear 
from  their  earliest  remembrance  —  educated 
in  the  low  cunning  of  the  most  depraved  part 
of  our  population  —  considering  the  one  who 
cheated  the  most  customers,  and  passed  OiT 


JACK    LEFT   AN    ORPHAN.  33 

the  most  old  papers,  as  the  best  fellow,  it  was 
no  easy  task  to  effect,  what  was  desired,  a 
radical  change  in  all  these  habits,  and  to  make 
of  these  poor  children  of  the  street  good  and 
useful  members  of  society. 

The  benevolent  persons  who  organized  the 
institution  of  the  lodging-houses,  realized  that 
in  order  to  stop  the  progress  of  vice,  the  youth 
of  the  city  must  be  reformed  and  trained  to 
habits  of  honesty  and  virtue.  Mr.  Rogers,  who 
first  entered  on  the  task,  was  well  fitted  for 
the  labor.  He  was  firm  in  rebuking  vice,  of 
whatever  nature,  and  would  not  allow  the  least 
infringement  of  the  rules  of  the  establishment. 
But  fortunately  for  those  who  were  under  his 
care,  he  understood  the  nature  of  boys  ;  and  as, 
at  proper  times,  he  did  not  object  to  consider- 
able noise,  in  spouting  as  they  called  it,  or  in 
arguing,  while  he  endeavored  to  unite  recrea- 
tion with  profit,  they  soon  began  to  realize 

the  vast  improvement  upon  their  former  mode 
3 


34  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

of  living,  and  to  appreciate  the  advantage  of 
a  good  home. 

But  I  cannot  give  the  reader  a  better  idea 
of  the  lodging-houses,  their  aim,  objects,  and 
means  of  improvement  to  the  friendless  lads, 
than  by  quoting  from  the  account  of  the  good 
Superintendent,  which  I  will  do  in  the  next 
chapter. 


CHAPTER  III. 

JACK   AT  THE   LODGING-HOUSE. 

THIS  Institution,"  says  the  Principal,  "  was 
founded  to  provide  a  home  for  all  kinds 
of  street-boys,  many  of  whom  come  to  us  ut- 
terly penniless  and  destitute.  Itinerant  lads, 
such  as  match  sellers,  apple  venders,  button 
peddlers,  boot-blacks,  baggage  carriers,  paper 
folders,  market  boys,  and  especially  news-boys  ; 
in  fact,  all  honestly  engaged  in  petty  pursuits, 
or  out  of  work,  here  find  a  home. 

"  We  hold  out  the  inducement  of  a  comfort- 
able single  bed,  in  a  well  ventilated  apartment, 
the  charge  for  those  who  have  means  being 

four  cents ;  a  warm  supper,  free  if  he  is  in 

35 


36  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

early,  a  library,  a  melodeon,  a  savings  bank, 
a  school-room  (which  serves  also  for  chapel 
and  play-room),  bath  and  wash-room,  and  a 
private  lock  closet  for  clothes. 

"  By  these  means  the  majority  of  our  in- 
mates have  been  reclaimed  from  a  vagrant  life, 
sleeping  in  market  houses,  hay  barges,  old 
alleys,  open  stairways,  ash  and  coal  boxes, 
wagons,  and  empty  rail-way  cars,  or  obliged  to 
walk  the  street  all  night,  exposed  to  the  temp- 
tations of  homelessness  and  privation,  or,  of 
those  seminaries  of  evil,  the  drinking  saloons. 

"  The  evenings  of  the  week  are  variously 
passed  by  the  boys.  On  Wednesday  evening 
there  is  an  interesting  lecture,  on  Thursday  a 
prayer-meeting,  on  Friday  a  singing-teacher 
attends,  and  on  the  Sabbath  there  are  exercises 
appropriate  to  the  day.  The  afternoon  and 
evening  school  occupies  the  rest  of  the  week — 
a  brief  devotional  exercise  closing  every  day. 

"  A  free  Sunday  dinner  is  still  provided  by 


JACK   AT  THE   LODGING-HOUSE.  37 

a  few  benevolent  individuals  for  all  who  re- 
frain from  work  on  that  day.  This  has  been 
found  a  great  inducement  for  withdrawing  a 
large  number  of  boys  from  the  streets,  and 
obviating  the  necessity  of  their  working  on 
the  Sabbath. 

"  Habits  of  economy  and  order  are  developed 
by  the  desire  to  deposit  as  much  as  their 
companions  in  the  savings  bank.  During  one 
year,  three  hundred  and  thirty  boys  saved  one 
thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty-seven  dollars. 

"  The  bank  is  open  the  first  day  of  every 
month,  and  the  depositor  receives  five  per 
cent,  on  his  savings.  We  assert  no  control  over 
the  money  of  the  boys,  and  merely  give  them 
counsel  about  the  judicious  disposal  of  it ;  but 
they  generally  re-deposit  it  in  one  of  the  city 
savings  banks." 

It  was  a  habit  of  Mr.  Rogers,  when  the  boys 
had  been  unusually  obedient  and  attentive  to 
his  wishes,  to  read  them  an  interesting  story. 


38  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

The  life  of  Benjamin  Franklin,  of  Roger  Sher- 
man, of  Benjamin  West,  and  of  many  others 
who,  by  their  own  persevering  exertions,  had 
risen  from  being  as  poor  as  themselves,  to  be 
eminent  and  useful  men,  stirred  many  a  youth 
to  similar  endeavors. 

Here  it  was  that  Jack  Stetson  first  came  to 
reflect  that  God  had  given  him  powers  which 
would  enable  him  to  rise  from  a  news-boy,  per- 
haps, to  be  the  owner  and  editor  of  a  paper. 
From  that  hour,  Jack  determined  to  be  some- 
body. 

Weeks  and  months  flew  by,  until  Mrs.  Stet- 
son had  been  dead  one  year.  Mrs.  Holland 
the  widow,  who  with  her  daughters  still  lived  in 
the  opposite  chamber,  earned  a  scanty  support 
by  sewing  for  the  slop-shops,  Jack  still  render- 
ing himself  useful  by  carrying  their  bundles 
to  and  fro  from  their  employers.  Edith  Hol- 
land had  grown  to  be  a  beautiful  young  lady, 
for  lady  she  was  in  refinement  of  feeling,  and 


JACK   AT  THE   LODGING-HOUSE.  39 

even  in  education,  though  obliged  by  stern 
necessity  to  spend  her  days  in  bending  over  her 
almost  hopeless  tasks.  Of  late  Jack,  who  was 
her  stout  defender,  had  noticed  that  she  was 
growing  pale  and  wan,  and  a  vision  of  her  ly- 
ing weak  and  languid  in  bed,  and  at  last  breath- 
ing out  her  life  a  victim  to  endless  stitching, 
as  his  mother  had  done,  began  to  float  through 
his  mind. 

Jack  had  a  favorite  among  his  companions 
at  the  Lodging-House,  a  lad  two  years  older 
than  himself,  named  Norris,  to  whom  he  con- 
fided his  fears  in  regard  to  Edith.  This  youth 
was  one  to  whom  Mr.  Rogers  could  point  with 
a  certain  kind  of  self-gratulation,  as  a  case  of 
what  good,  moral  influences,  connected  with 
kind  but  firm  treatment,  can  do  for  boys  who 
are  apparently  destined  for  nothing  but  the 
prison  and  the  gallows. 

When  Edward  Norris  was  first  persuaded 
to  join  the  youth  who  assembled  night  after 


40  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

night  at  the  Lodging-House,  the  restraint  from 
the  wild  freedom  of  the  street  was  so  irksome, 
he  several  times  broke  loose  and  returned  to 
his  old  haunts.  Again  and  again  had  Mr. 
Rogers  rescued  him  from  the  hands  of  the 
police,  who  were  carrying  him  to  the  station- 
house  for  being  engaged  in  a  street  brawl. 
But  circumstances  had  sharpened  the  good 
man's  observation,  and  made  him  a  keen  ob- 
server of  human  nature.  He  perceived  some 
traits  in  Edward  Norris  which,  if  cultivated 
and  brought  into  action,  would  make  a  noble 
man.  He  was  not  easily  discouraged,  there- 
fore, when  some  months  passed  before  there 
was  any  perceptible  change  in  the  lad.  His 
first  business  was  to  gain  Edward's  confidence, 
and  convince  him  he  was  a  true  friend. 

Circumstances  after  a  time  favored  this 
effort ;  for  the  youth  was  taken  sick  of  a  vio- 
lent fever,  and  the  Superintendent  nursed 
him  with  the  tenderness  of  a  parent.  Though 


JACK   AT  THE   LODGING-HOUSE.  41 

pressed  with  the  responsible  duties  of  his  office, 
he  passed  every  moment  he  could  command, 
by  the  humble  couch  of  the  poor  boy. 

As  Edward  became  convalescent,  he  had 
time  to  reflect  upon  his  situation,  and  to  com- 
pare it  with  what  it  would  have  been  had  not 
the  kindness  of  Mr.  Rogers  interfered  in  his 
behalf.  With  no  home  he  could  call  his  own, 
and  not  one  friend  in  this  vast  city  who  would 
have  interposed  to  benefit  him,  his  bed  would 
doubtless  have  been,  as  it  had  often  been  before, 
under  the  shelter  of  a  cart  on  the  cold  pave- 
ment, where,  when  discovered  by  the  police 
he  would  have  been  thrust  into  the  station- 
house,  and  no  doubt  have  died  for  want  of 
care. 

"  Now,"  he  thought,  casting  his  eyes  around 
the  comfortable  apartment,  with  the  neat  rows 
of  single  beds  on  either  side  of  him,  "  here  I 
am  treated  as  if  I  were  a  child  ;  and  why  ? 
Yes,  why  does  Mr.  Rogers  care  for  me,  or  for 


42  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

these  other  rude  boys  ?  It  cannot  be  simply 
because  he  is  paid  for  it ;  for  he  enters  into  our 
interests  with  all  his  heart  and  soul.  It  must 
be  on  account  of  the  goodness  there  is  in  him, 
which  makes  him  wish  us  all  to  be  good.  Well, 
I  for  one  will  try  to  please  him.  It's  the  least 
I  can  do,  after  all  his  kindness  to  me." 

Edward  Norris  kept  his  resolution.  He  did 
try  to  please  the  Superintendent,  and  soon 
gained  such  an  influence  over  his  associates 
that  he  was  a  great  aid  to  his  benefactor.  He 
now  was  as  eager  to  enter  the  school-room  as 
before  he  had  been  to  avoid  it.  Every  mo- 
ment that  could  be  gained  from  his  business  as 
a  news-boy  he  spent  in  acquiring  the  rudiments 
of  knowledge.  It  was  astonishing  how  soon  he 
learned  to  read  and  write,  and  what  an  enthu- 
siasm he  was  the  means  of  diffusing  among  his 
companions.  Besides  this,  Mr.  Rogers  said  he 
was  the  best  agent  he  had  for  bringing  news- 
boys to  the  institution.  Many  and  many  a  rude 


JACK   AT   THE   LODGING-HOUSE.  43 

lad,  the  very  offscouring  of  society,  the  very 
ones  of  whom  house-breakers  and  murderers 
are  made,  came  stealthily  into  the  office  in  his 
train,  casting  shy  glances  around,  and  ready 
to  escape  on  the  first  symptoms  of  restraint. 
To  such  he  represented  in  glowing  colors  the 
state  he  himself  was  in  wlien  he  first  came  to 
the  Lodging-House,  and  then,  straightening 
himself  up  in  the  dignity  of  a  self-acquired 
manhood,  asked  them  to  judge  whether  his  sit- 
uation was  not  every  way  more  enviable  now. 

At  the  time  our  young  friend,  Jack  Stetson, 
first  entered  the  Lodging-House,  Edward  was 
about  forming  a  club,  as  he  aspiringly  called 
it,  to  argue  questions  put  to  them  by  their 
teacher,  or  to  declaim  pieces  for  the  interest 
of  the  whole. 

A  friendship  was  instantly  formed  between 
the  two  boys,  greatly  to  the  advantage  of  both. 
In  many  things  there  was  a  great  congeniality 
between  them.  Edward  was,  as  I  have  said, 


44  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

older,  he  being  fourteen,  while  Jack  had  only 
reached  his  twelfth  birth-day ;  but  then,  Jack 
had  received  daily  instruction  from  the  lips  of 
a  pious  mother,  while  Edward  had  been  sink- 
ing deeper  and  deeper  in.  crime,  becoming 
every  day  more  of  an  adept  in  petty  thefts  and 
deceptions,  from  hts  contact  with  those  only 
who  were  qualified  to  teach  him  the  ways  of 
sin,  until  found  and  rescued  by  Mr.  Rogers. 

Jack,  too,  had  the  advantage  of  having 
always  attended  to  his  studies,  he  being  now  a 
member  of  one  of  the  public  schools,  in  the 
ward  to  which  he  belonged,  and,  consequently, 
far  in  advance  of  his  older  companion. 

It  may  be  supposed,  therefore,  that  he  be- 
came at  once  a  distinguished  member  of  the 
club,  and  that  Edward,  who,  as  the  projector 
of  the  society,  was  chosen  its  president,  should 
call  him  out  on  every  possible  occasion. 

One  evening  after  their  work  for  the  day  was 
done,  Jack  and  Ned  were  enjoying  themselves 


JACK   AT  THE   LODGING-HOUSE.  45 

in  the  play-room,  when  company  to  visit  the 
institution  was  announced  ;  and  the  Superin- 
tendent cheerfully  called  the  boys  to  take  their 
places  on  the  forms. 

It  was  an  event  of  very  frequent  occurrence 
for  ladies  and  gentlemen  to  visit  them,  —  the 
latter  often  making  speeches  to  the  boys,  im- 
pressing some  moral  or  religious  lesson. 

On  this  occasion,  however,  after  some  merry 
conversation  in  a  low  voice  between  them  and 
Mr.  Rogers,  the  Superintendent  said : 

"  Boys,  we  should  like  this  evening  to  be 
amused,  and  as  John  Smith  seems  to  possess 
a  talent  for  tragedy,  we  should  like  to  see  him 
perform." 

John  Smith  was  a  lad  of  a  peculiarly  rag-tag- 
and-bob-tail  appearance.  He  was  at-this  time 
scratching  his  head  and  yawning  in  a  corner  ; 
but  being  called  by  name  looked  up  much 
astonished.  Seeing  all  the  boys  gazing  at  him, 
he  was  wide  awake  in  a  moment.  Taking  the 


46  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

floor  .he  ran  his  fingers  through  his  hair,  and 
with  a  wild  stare  into  a  vacant  space,  he  began 
in  a  theatrical  manner  : 

"Come  on,  Romeo  and  Juliet!"  "Give 
me  another  horse ;  bind  up  my  wounds," 
"  Soft,  I  did  but  dream."  "  What  noise  is 
this?"  "Not  dead?  not  yet  quite  dead?" 
"  Will  thou  provoke  me  ?  then  have  at  thee, 
boy !  "  "  Back,  back,  and  quit  my  sight ;  thy 
bones  are  marrowless."  "  Oh !  I  die  Horatio." 

At  the  end  of  this  conglomeration  of  differ- 
ent plays,  which  John  had  incorrectly  gathered 
from  the  Bowery,  he  fell,  apparently  lifeless,  to 
the  floor,  in  a  manner  worthy  of  a  stage-actor. 

This  performance  ended,  a  shout  of  applause 
from  his  companions  for  a  short  time  preven- 
ted any  other  sound  from  being  audible,  and 
then  little  Lyons  was  called  for. 

A  mite  of  a  boy  took  the  floor,  to  the  very 
evident  delight  of  the  company,  who  were  well 
acquainted  with  his  powers  of  melody. 


JACK   AT  THE   LODGING-HOUSE.  47 

He  stood  a  moment  looking  round  on  the 
audience,  and  then,  in  a  clear,  musical  voice, 
sang  a  song,  which  was  a  recital  of  his  own 
experience. 

"  My  name  is  Paddy  Lyons  ;  I'll  sing  a  little  song  ; 

And  as  I'm  rather  short  myself,  it  wont  be  very  long. 

I  make  the  news-boys  merry  ;  and  they  sometimes  take  the  hat, 

And  make  a  small  collection  for  their  funny  little  Pat. 

"  I  have  a  scolding  step-mother ;  —  she  made  her  house  too  hot ; 
So  Paddy  Beef  cleared  out  in  time ;  but  trouble  was  his  lot ; 
An  M.  P.  put  me  out  to  board ;  but  soon  I  got  away, 
And  in  the  baker's  basket  was  carried  out  one  day. 

"  Step-mother  was  a  blessed  one  to  get  upon  a  spree  : 
She  licked  poor  Paddy  twice  a  day,  as  hard  as  hard  could  be ; 
He  had  to  wear  her  petticoat,  and  nusre  her  bawling  Bob ; 
I  fetched  her  brandy  for  her  nog,  —  she  paid  me  on  the  nob. 

"  I  showed  my  heels,  and  cut  my  stick,  the  shanty  saw  no  more  ; 
I  went  up  to  the  Bull's  Head  then,  and  sang  before  the  door : 
I  sang  for  six  fat  butchers  there,  till  they  forgot  their  grief,  — 
They  gave  me  half  a  dollar,  and  they  called  me  Paddy  Beef. 

"  If  any  friend  should  look  for  me,  he  wont  have  far  to  roam  : 
He'll  find  me  at  the  Lodging- House,  the  news-boy's  happy  home, 
There  I'll  be  glad  to  stump  a  speech,  or  sing  a  merry  song, — 
And  now  I'll  close  my  melody,  before  it  gets  too  long." 


48  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

When  the  song  ceased,  the  boys  raised  a  per- 
fect storm  of  applause,  and  indulged  in  such 
characteristic  demonstrations  of  delight,  that  it 
was  deemed  best  to  call  them  to  order ;  and 
Paddy  jumped  from  the  stool  on  which  he  had 
been  standing,  with  a  bound  that  would  have 
done  credit  to  a  monkey,  and  took  his  seat 
demurely. 

In  the  intimacy  which  grew  up  between 
our  two  heroes,  Jack  narrated  all  the  circum- 
stances of  his  early  life,  the  friendship  which 
had  grown  up  between  his  mother  and  the 
widow  Holland,  and  also  the  kindness  and 
generosity  of  Mr.  Sennott  toward  himself. 
These  names  were  afterwards  so  often  re- 
peated between  them,  that  they  became  almost 
as  familiar  to  one  as  to  the  other. 

Edward  Morris  was  tall  and  athletic  for  a 
boy  of  his  years.  His  hair  was  of  a  raven 
blackness,  and  his  cheeks  dark  and  sunburnt, 
from  long  exposure  to  every  variety  of  weather. 


JACK   AT   THE   LODGING-HOUSE.  49 

He  was  far  from  prepossessing  in  appearance  ; 
and  yet,  when  excited,  there  was  a  kindling  up 
of  the  eye,  and  indeed  of  the  whole  face,  which 
gave  indications  of  genius. 

Jack,  on  the  contrary,  was  rather  beneath 
the  usual  size.  His  hair  was  dark  auburn,  and 
he  still  continued  to  wear  it  long  and  waving 
on  his  forehead,  as  when  his  mother  was  alive. 
He  was  considerably  freckled,  but  there  was 
a  singular  fascination  about  his  eye,  which 
others  beside  Mr.  Sennott  had  remarked. 
There  was  a  depth  of  expression,  an  earnest 
longing  for  something  not  yet  attained,  which 
arrested  the  attention  and  stirred  the  heart  of 
the  beholder. 

Both  Edward  and  Jack  were  enterprising 
news-boys.  Beside  the  small  pittance  daily 
paid  for  their  privileges  at  the  Lodging-House, 
they  had  quite  a  sum  due  them  at  the  bank 
connected  with  the  institution. 

"  Ned,  come  out  here  a  minute ;  I  want  to 

4 


50  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

talk  with  you,"  called  out  Jack,  one  evening, 
soon  after  they  had  reached  the  Lodging-House. 

"  I  don't  believe  Edith  Holland  has  enough 
to  eat,"  he  went  on,  when  they  were  secure 
from  interruption. 

"  You  don't  say  so  !  "  was  the  astonished  re- 
joinder. 

"  Yes  ;  that's  it  You  know  I  told  you  how 
thin  and  pale  she  was  growing,  and  how 
sunken  her  eyes  were,  that  used  to  be  so 
beautiful." 

"  Yes." 

"  Well,  to-night  I  ran  in  there  to  deliver  a 
bundle,  and  they  were  eating  supper.  And  do 
you  think,  Ned,  only  one  slice  of  bread  for  the 
three.  Then  they  had  some  weak,  wish-washy 
looking  stuff  they  called  tea ;  but  Edith  didn't 
take  any  of  that.  She  ate  her  bread,  and  then 
she  looked  at  the  others,  watching  every  piece 
they  put  into  their  mouths,  like  a  hungry  dog. 
I  tell  you  what  it  is,  Ned,  it's  real  mean  of  me 


JACK    AT    THE    LODGING-HOUSE.  51 

to  come  here  and  eat  down  a  hearty  supper, 
and  let  a  girl  like  Edith  Holland  go  hungry  to 
bed ;  but  I  haven't  told  you  all  yet. 

"  When  I  came  out  into  the  entry  I  stopped 
a  moment,  trying  to  get  courage  to  go  back 
and  give  them  what  I  had  in  my  pocket.  It 
may  seem  easy  enough  to  you,  while  we're  sit- 
ting here  ;  but  they're  ladies,  no  sham,  but  real 
genuine  ladies,  though  they  are  so  poor ;  and 
I  knew  just  what  a  look  of  astonishment  the 
old  lady'd  give  me  with  her  eye.  While  I 
stood  there  I  heard  her  say,  '  Edith,  you  must 
take  your  part  of  the  tea.  I  didn't  say  any- 
thing before  Jack ;  but  I've  saved  it  for  you  in 
my  cup.' 

"  Then  I  heard  Louisa  saying,  '  Oh,  what 
would  Fred  say,  if  lie  knew  how  Edith  was  — 
how  we  were  all  suffering  !  Why  will  Uncle 
Sears  treat  us  so  ? ' 

"I  don't  know  who  these  people  are  ;  I 
never  heard  their  names  before  ;  but  I  was  all 


52  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

chocked  up,  and  bolted  down  the  stairs  as 
quick  as  my  feet  would  carry  me. 

"  But,"  exclaimed  Edward,"  you  must  man- 
age somehow  to  carry  them  something.  I  will 
give  you  all  I  have  ;  for  we  can  do  without  new 
clothes  better  than  they  can  without  bread." 

Jack  sprang  to  his  feet,  clapping  his  hands 
together  with  a  noise  that  made  the  room  ring. 

"  I'll  tell  you  what  it  is,  we'll  go  together," 
he  cried.  "  Let's  go  now  and  get  leave  from 
Mr.  Rogers." 

"  I'd  ask  him  what  to  buy,"  suggested  Ned. 

"  So  we  will,  but  don't  mention  their  names. 

It  was  near  seven  o'clock,  on  a  cold,  autum- 
nal evening,  that  Mrs.  Holland  and  her  two 
daughters  sat  sewing  by  one  dim.  candle,  when 
they  heard  heavy  steps  coming  up  the  stairs, 
and  presently  a  vigorous  knock  at  their  own 
door. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

JACK'S     NEW     FRIENDS. 

COME  in,"  answered  a  low  voice,  belonging 
to  Mrs.  Holland. 

To  their  surprise,  their  old  friend  Jack  Stet- 
son entered,  accompanied  by  a  youth  whom  he 
introduced  as  Edward  Morris,  the  best  fellow, 
and  his  most  intimate  friend  at  the  Lodging- 
House. 

Now  Edward  had  doubted  considerably 
whether  Jack's  descriptions  of  Edith's  beauty 
were  not  greatly  exaggerated  ;  but  one  glance 
into  that  face,  pale  and  sunken  though  it  was, 
convinced  him  that  the  half  had  not  been  told 

him.      He   stood,  awkward  and  embarrassed, 

53 


54  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

twirling  his  cap  in  his  hands,  paying  no  heed 
to  the  repeated  invitations  for  him  to  take  a 
seat. 

Jack  was  more  at  ease.  Indeed,  it  was  plain 
to  see  that  he  had  come  with  a  purpose,  and 
was  considerably  excited  in  regard  to  its  suc- 
cess. He  began  at  once. 

"  How  soon  shall  you  want  me  to  take  that 
bundle  of  work  home  ?  " 

The  widow  looked  up  somewhat  surprised, 
but  answered,  quietly,  "  It  will  last  us  a  day 
or  two  yet." 

"  I  have  brought  some  shirts,  Edith,"  he 
continued,  more  shyly ;  "  will  you  make  them 
for  me  ? " 

She  looked  up,  and  nodded  her  head,  with  a 
smile  that  almost  threw  Edward  out  of  his 
chair. 

"  There's  two  for  me  and  two  for  Ned,"  Jack 
went  on ;  "  and  we  want  'em  done  up  in  first- 
rate  style.  They're  real  Sunday,  go-to-meeting 


JACK'S  NEW  FRIENDS.  55 

shirts,  such  as  mother  used  to  say  my  father 
wore  ;  and  we  expect  to  pay  up  high  for  mak- 
ing 'em. 

You  needn't  hurry,  either,"  he  added,  as  he 
saw  the  widow  make  a  sudden  movement ; 
"  only  as  we  are  flush  in  cash,  we  want  to  pay 
down  in  advance." 

So  saying,  and  before  a  word  could  be  heard 
in  reply,  he  laid  down  upon  the  table  a  bank- 
bill,  with  the  figure  five  stamped  upon  it. 

"  God  be  praised !  "  ejaculated  the  poor 
woman,  while  her  daughters  cast  such  a  glance 
of  gratitude  upon  the  young  men,  that  they 
felt  that  they  would  willingly  give  another  V 
to  have  it  repeated. 

"  And  now  that's  settled,"  Jack  went  on,  "I 
want  to  ask  a  favor  of  you.  If  'taint  conven- 
ient, I  hope  you'll  say  so ;  but  you  see  it's  a 
year  now  since  mother  died,  right  in  that  room 
yonder,  and  —  well,"  he  stammered,  coloring 
painfully,  "  the  fact  is,  Ned  and  me  haven't 


56  NEVER   GIVE  UP. 

had  a  hot  dinner  for  a  long  time,  and  we  have 
a  kind  of  hankering  after  some  beef  soup  and 
apple  dumplings." 

Mrs.  Holland  grew  very  pale.  She  could 
not  understand  that  this  was  a  contrived  plan 
to  give  the  entire  family  one  hearty  meal  with- 
out intruding  on  their  delicacy  ;  and  supposed 
that  the  bank  bill,  for  which  she  had  so  earnestly 
thanked  God,  was  to  be  appropriated  to  the 
dinner.  The  fact  that  the  landlord  was  to 
come  in  a  few  hours  for  his  rent,  which,  with 
their  utmost  economy,  they  had  not  been  able 
to  lay  by,  pressed  with  equal  weight  on  the 
minds  of  both  mother  and  daughters.  The 
bank  bill,  which  more  than  covered  the  amount 
they  owed  him,  had  instantly  been  appropriated 
to  that  most  urgent  necessity ;  but  to  talk  of 
apple  dumplings  and  beef  soup,  it  was  too 
tantalizing ! 

These  thoughts  darted  through  the  mind 
of  the  poor  woman  while  Jack  was  speaking, 


JACK'S  NEW  FRIENDS.  57 

much  quicker  than  I  can  write  them  ;  and  he, 
noticing  the  sudden  change  in  their  appear- 
ance, seemed  unable  to  conclude  his  sentence. 
But  at  last,  seeing  Edith's  large  mournful  eyes 
fixed  earnestly  upon  him,  he  burst  out : 

"  The  fact  is,  I've  been  and  told  Ned  how 
kind  you  was  to  mother,  and  how  many  little 
jobs  you've  done  for  me  ;  and  we  thought 
'twould  do  you  all  good  to  give  up  that  ever- 
lasting stitching  for  one  day  at  least.  We've 
bought  the  beef  and  fixings  ;  but  if  you  can't 
conveniently  ask  us  to  eat  dinner  with  you  to- 
morrow, we'll  thank  you  just  the  same,  won't 
we,  Ned  ?  " 

"  Yes,  indeed  !  "  was  the  earnest  response. 

"  Jack  Stetson,"  said  Louisa,  with  a  smile, 
though  her  eyes  were  twinkling  with  tears, 
"  you're  the  best  little  fellow  in  the  city.  We'll 
have  the  dinner  ready  at  any  time  you  say, 
and  many  thanks  to  both  of  you  for  your 
kindness." 


58  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

"  That  was  done  first-rate,"  cried  Ned,  when 
they  were  once  more  in  the  street,  "  I'll  give 
Mr.  Rogers  the  palm  for  planning;  but  my 
heart  fails  me  when  I  think  of  sitting  down  to 
eat  with  that  beautiful  girl." 

Jack  laughed  aloud  and  presently  was  joined 
by  his  companion.  "  Now  for  the  grocer's," 
he  said,  heartily. 

In  less  than  an  hour  they  were  again  at  the 
widow's  door ;  but  this  time  accompanied  by 
the  grocer's  clerk,  bearing  numerous  small 
bundles  of  provisions,  while  Jack  carried  a  bag 
of  flour  and  meal  and  a  huge  sack  of  potatoes. 

"  How  I  wish  your  mother  were  alive  to- 
night," murmured  Edith  softly,  as  they  all 
stood  near  the  door. 

"  To  know  that  her  prayers  for  her  boy  are 
.  being  answered,"  added  the  widow. 

"  And  that  he  has  chosen  such  good  com- 
panions," suggested  Edith,  looking  with  admi- 
ration in  Edward's  glowing  face. 


JACK'S  NEW  FRIENDS.  59 

"  I'll  tell  you  what  it  is,  Jack,"  remarked 
Ned,  as,  after  having  fixed  the  hour  for  the  com- 
ing fete,  they  silently  bent  their  steps  toward 
the  Lodging-House,  "  I  mean  to  be  a  man,  and 
worthy  to  be  a  companion  to  such  women  as 
we  saw  to-night.  But  would  they  have  spoken 
so  kindly  to  me  if  they  knew  what  a  vile  fel- 
low I  was  once  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Ned,  that  they  would.  All  really 
good  people  try  to  help  those  who  mean  to 
reform.  But  wont  Mr.  Rogers  be  pleased  at 
our  success  ? " 

As  they  entered  the  Lodging-House,  they 
found  that  the  school,  which  was  usually  in 
session  at  this  hour,  was  dispersed,  and  Mr. 
Rogers  engaged  in  examining  a  lad  who  had 
given  him  a  great  deal  of  trouble,  and  who 
had  now  been  convicted  of  stealing. 

The  boys  were  standing  around  in  groups, 
warmly  discussing  the  probable  fate  of  their 
companion,  while  a  man  with  a  star  on  his 


60  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

breast  sat  near  the  Superintendent  patiently 
awaiting  the  result. 

The  officer,  as  well  as  the  boys,  knew  that 
Mr.  Rogers  always  inclined  to  clemency  ;  and 
that  he  had  in  many  instances  rescued  his 
scholars  from  imprisonment  by  becoming  him- 
self responsible  for  their  good  behavior.  But 
this  case  was  so  flagrant  an  act  of  crime,  and 
the  offense  had  been  so  often  repeated,  that 
the  good  man  feared  the  influence  of  such  a 
determined  thief  might  be  of  positive  injury 
to  his  other  boys. 

Finding  that  the  Superintendent  would  not 
be  able  to  attend  to  their  story,  Edward  and 
Jack  found  a  quiet  place  in  the  school-room 
where  they  could  talk  over  the  anticipated 
pleasures  of  the  morrow. 

After  a  short  time  they  noticed  that  the  offi- 
cer led  the  young  thief  away.  Then  came  the 
call  to  prayers,  after  which  all  went  orderly  to 
their  beds. 


JACK'S  NEW  FRIENDS.  61 

The  next  morning  Jack  was  early  at  his 
business.  He  ran  to  the  office  of  the  Journal 
of  Commerce,  Ned  having  bent  his  steps  to  an- 
other part  of  the  city,  he  being  connected  with 
a  different  paper.  He  had  already  sold  more 
than  half  his  papers,  and  was  calling  out  in 
rather  a  more  animated  tone  than  usual, 
"  Morning  ede-shun,  Journal  o'  Commerce," 
when  he  turned  quickly,  at  a  touch  upon  his 
shoulder,  to  see  Mr.  Sennott  smilingly  regard- 
ing him. 

"  Have  a  paper,  sir  ?  "  inquired  Jack,  hold- 
ing out  his  remaining  numbers. 

"  Yes,  I  will.  I  bought  one  last  evening, 
and  found  on  opening  it  I  had  been  cheated 
into  taking  one  a  day  old,  instead  of  an  hour, 
as  the  lad  professed." 

Jack  laughed.  "  Yes,  sir,  them  are  smart 
chaps ;  they  buy  the  back  papers  dirt  cheap, 
'cause  they're  gone  by,  you  see,  and  then  they 
make  quite  a  spec  out  of  it." 


62  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

"  But  Jack,  I  hope  you  have  never  so  far 
forgotten  your  mother's  instructions  as  to  do 
that." 

"  No,  sir.  Ned  and  I  have  talked  it  all  over, 
and  we  think  it  don't  pay.  You  see,  sir,  gents 
as  have  been  cheated  once,  look  sharp  next 
time  ;  so  what  them  smart  chaps  make  one 
day,  they  lose  the  next." 

The  attorney  smiled.  "  Yes,  that's  it,"  he 
said.  "  I  shall  look  sharp  when  I  see  that  news- 
boy again.  But,  Jack,  how  are  you  getting 
on  ;  and  who  is  Ned  ?  " 

"  Oh,  he's  a  brick  !  —  I  mean,"  he  added, 
coloring,  "  he's  Mr.  Rogers's  best  boy.  He 
and  I  are  going  to  have  a  dinner-party  to-day." 

"  A  dinner-party !  Well,  you  are  getting 
up  in  the  world." 

A  bright  smile  broke  out  all  over  Jack's 
face.  He  had  an  idea,  which  was  nothing 
less  than  to  secure  Mr.  Sennott  for  a  friend 
to  Mrs.  Holland.  The  gentleman  lingered  a 


JACK'S  NEW  FRIENDS.  63 

moment  while  he  sold  a  paper  and  received  the 
coppers,  and  was  turning  away,  when  Jack 
asked,  earnestly,  "  May  I  go  to  your  office 
and  tell  you  about  it  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  you'll  find  me  in  till  two." 

It  seemed  to  our  news-boy  that  he  had  never 
been  more  successful  than  on  this  particu- 
lar morning.  Every  gentleman  who  passed 
seemed  in  want  of  a  paper,  so  that  his  remain- 
ing bundle  was  soon  disposed  of.  He  glanced 
at  the  clock,  and  found  he  had  still  twenty 
minutes  before  he  started  for  school ;  so  he 
determined  to  pay  his  visit  to  the  attorney 
at  once. 

The  gentleman  well  remembered  the  fair, 
pensive  face  which  had  peeped  into  the  widow's 
room  the  first  time  he  visited  her ;  and  lis- 
tened with  increasing  interest  to  the  lad's 
simple  story. 

He  was  particularly  pleased  with  the  refine- 
ment and  delicacy  of  feeling  manifested  by 


64  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

the  boys  in  supplying  the  necessities  of  their 
distressed  neighbors,  and  determined  at  once 
to  make  an  addition  to  the  bill  of  fare  at  the 
dinner-party,  as  Jack  laughingly  designated  it. 
This  was  to  come  off  as  soon  after  five  as 
our  news-boy  could  be  dismissed  from  school. 
Unfortunately  his  mind  was  so  absorbed  in 
wondering  what  Ned  would  say  to  Edith,  and 
what  .they  would  all  say  to  him,  that  he  failed 
in  recitation,  and  was  condemned  to  half  an 
hour's  study  after  school  hours.  This  was  a 
terrible  punishment,  as  the  poor  lad's  sorrow- 
ful countenance  plainly  showed.  But  there 
was  no  help  for  it ;  and  at  last  even  this  long 
half  hour  came  to  an  end. 


CHAPTER  Y. 

JACK'S    DINNER-PAKTY. 

WHEN  Jack  reached  the  house  where  Mrs. 
Holland  lived  he  found  Edward  waiting 
outside  the  door,  and  they  proceeded  directly 
up  stairs.  A  few  words  served  to  explain  his 
late  appearance,  and  the  sight  of  the  happy 
faces  moving  so  briskly  round  the  table,  speed- 
ily caused  him  to  forget  both  his  late  punish- 
ment and  the  cause  of  it. 

There  was  some  little  confusion  in  drawing 
around  the  well-spread  board.  First  there 
were  chairs  to  be  borrowed,  as  neither  the 
widow's  low  rocking-chair,  nor  Edith's  stool 

would  suffice   on   so   important  an  occasion. 
5  63 


66  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

Then  there  was  a  question  who  should  sit  at 
the  head  and  do  the  honors,  which  was  finally 
settled  by  Mrs.  Holland  removing  the  platter  of 
meat  to  a  position  before  her  own  plate,  while 
Louise  helped  to  the  soup,  and  Edith's  turn 
came  with  the  dumplings. 

Few  except  that  unhappy  class  in  our  com- 
munity who  spend  day  after  day  in  the  monot- 
onous employment  of  sewing  for  slop-shops, 
can  appreciate  the  unaffected  enjoyment  of 
these  young  persons,  when  the  tedious  routine 
of  their  life  was  so  suddenly  broken.  Edith, 
in  a  more  merry  tone  than  had  been  heard 
from  her  lips  for  many  a  day,  declared,  "  It 
seems  like  a  fairy  dream ;  but  I  hope  it  will 
not  end  until  I  have  had  a  taste  of  the  din- 
ner." 

"  Which  I  have  already  had,"  laughingly  re- 
plied her  sister.  "  I  was  so  hungry,  I  confess, 
I  could  not  wait  while  Jack  was  sitting  on  the 
penitent-bench," 


JACK'S    DINNER-PARTY.  67 

Ned's  countenance  was  a  strange  comming- 
ling of  shyness  and  delight.  Never  had  he 
been  so  determined  to  be  worthy  of  the  name 
of  man,  as  when  on  this  eventful  occasion  he 
first  found  himself  seated  at  table  with  a  com- 
pany of  virtuous  women.  Sitting  awkwardly 
on  the  very  verge  of  his  chair,  which  he  mod- 
estly refused  to  draw  nearer  the  table,  the 
blushes  dyed  his  bronzed  cheeks  to  a  deeper 
hue  as  the  widow,  unexpectedly  to  him,  gave 
hearty  thanks  to  her  Heavenly  Father,  for  hav- 
ing put  it  into  the  mind  of  these  young  friends 
to  provide  food  for  the  hungry.  She  implored 
so  earnestly  the  blessing  of  Heaven  upon  them, 
that  the  youth,  entirely  unused  to  such  scenes, 
found  himself  scarcely  able  to  control  his 
emotions. 

The  dinner-party  was  not  destined  to  pass 
without  other  incidents  ;  for  the  beef  soup  was 
scarcely  removed,  and  the  plates,  borrowed 
from  a  neighbor  below,  placed  on  the  table  for 


68  NEVER    GIVE   UP. 

the  dumplings,  when  a  knock  was  heard  at 
the  door. 

Jack  quickly  sprang  to  prevent  any  stranger 
from  intruding,  but  started  back  on  seeing  a 
man  with  a  basket  of  fruit,  which  he  said  Mr. 
Sennott  had  sent  for  the  dinner-party.  His 
scream  of  delight  brought  all  parties  to  the 
door.  Mrs.  Holland  alone  retained  presence 
of  mind  sufficient  to  ask  the  messenger  into 
the  room,  while  her  daughters,  assisted  by 
Jack,  removed  from  the  basket  first  some  fine 
bunches  of  grapes,  then  some  luscious  pears, 
and  afterwards  two  neatly-tied  parcels  which 
were  found  to  contain  tea  and  sugar.  These 
last  were  marked  with  a  pencil,  "  For  the 
friends  of  Jack  and  Edward." 

The  starts  of  surprise,  the  excited  excla- 
mations from  one  and  another  of  the  party, 
as  these  wonderful  things  came  to  light,  the 
delight  painted  on  every  countenance,  the  ve- 
hement terms  of  gratitude  to  the  donor,  were, 


JACK'S    DINNER-PARTY.  G9 

as  Mr.  Sennott's  servant  told  him,  well  worth 
the  whole  bill. 

Nor  did  the  wonders  end  here.  At  a  later 
hour,  and  when  the  abundant  remains  of  the 
feast  had  been  removed,  Mr.  Rogers  announced 
himself,  with  a  smile,  and  requested  of  Jack 
an  introduction  to  his  friends. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  the  Superintend- 
ent planned  this  mode  of  supplying  the  imme- 
diate necessities  of  the  widow  ;  but  he  was  far 
from  wishing  this  fact  to  be  known.  Jack, 
however,  in  his  excitement  at  the  unexpected 
visit,  stated  all  the  circumstances,  much  to  the 
confusion  of  Edward,  who  caught  a  glance  of 
Edith's  animated  features,  and  blushed  till  lie 
could  scarcely  see. 

Mrs.  Holland  tried  to  articulate  her  thanks, 
but  the  gentleman  stopped  her  at  once,  by 
saying : 

"•  I  am  sure,  madam,  you  imist  perceive  that 
it  is  the  boys,  and  I,  as  their  friend,  who  should 


70  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

be  grateful  ;  for  the  society  of  well-educated 
ladies  will  be  of  far  greater  advantage  to  them, 
than  anything  they  have  it  in  their  power  to 
do  for  you." 

"  Yes,  indeed,"  urged  Edward  ;  and  then, 
frightened  at  the  sound  of  his  own  voice,  he 
stopped  abruptly. 

"  You  are  very  kind,  sir,"  answered  the 
widow.  "  There  was  a  time  when  we  were 
more  happily  situated ;  and  when  it  might 
have  been  in  our  power  effectually  to  aid  you 
in  your  good  work.  Now  we  have  the  will, 
but  scarcely  the  means  for  anything  beyond 
the  mere  keeping  together  of  body  and  soul." 

Her  voice  quivered,  and  for  a  moment  ceased ; 
but  she  presently  added,  "  Because  the  kind- 
ness of  these  young  friends  has  made  this  day 
a  holiday  long  to  be  remembered,  it  is  not  the 
less  certain  that  to-morrow  we  must  return  to 
our  ceaseless  tasks.  But  we  do  not  complain. 
We  know  that  though  clouds  and  darkness 


JACK'S    DINNER-PARTY.  71 

are  around  about  Him,  righteousness  and 
judgment  inhabit  the  throne  of  our  Father  in 
heaven.  No  doubt  lie  chastens  us  in  love,  and 
we,  as  dutiful  children,  must  pray  for  the 
spirit  of  meekness,  cheerfully  to  endure  what- 
ever trials  he  sees  fit  to  send  upon  us." 

This  was  new  language  for  one,  at  least,  of 
the  company ;  and  Edward  Norris,  as  he  gazed, 
at  the  resigned  countenance  of  the  widow  and 
then  glanced  toward  Edith,  whose  hands  were 
engaged  upon  one  of  Jack's  new  shirts,  but 
whose  face  reflected  her  mother's  words,  felt 
that  this  was  true  religion  —  the  religion  of 
the  heart.  For  the  first  time  in  his  life  a  silent 
petition  went  up  from  his  soul  that  he  too 
might  love  God,  and  serve  him  as  these  poor 
women  did. 

Jack  was  equally,  though  differently  affected 
by  the  widow's  words.  They  recalled  days  long 
gone  by,  when  one  who  now  lay  alone  in  a 
pauper's  grave,  had  discoursed  in  like  manner ; 


72  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

and  they  revived  and  strengthened  many  res- 
olutions made  by  the  coffin  and  the  tomb. 
He  thought  of  his  mother's  triumphant  death, 
and  the  blissful  eternity  upon  which  she  had 
entered  ;  and  acknowledged  that  even  in  this 
life  she  had  her  reward. 

"  We  have  great  encouragement  in  our  la- 
bor," Mr.  Rogers  added,  after  a  pause.  "  One 
boy  came  to  me  lately  and  deposited  tempora- 
rily in  the  bank  one  hundred  dollars,  which  he 
had  earned  since  last  spring.  Several,  after 
getting  a  taste  for  study  at  our  evening  schools, 
are  determined  to  fit  for  college." 

A  sudden  start  and  exclamation  of  surprise 
from  Jack  interrupted  the  gentleman  for  a 
moment.  Then,  with  a  smile,  he  went  on. 

"  Another  boy  is  trying  to  earn  a  farm  of 
his  own,  besides  being  the  promised  heir  of 
a  wealthy  farmer." 

"  Is  that  Sammy,  who  went  in  the  last  ]ot  ?" 
inquired  Ned,  timidly. 


JACK'S    DINNER-PARTY.  73 

"  Yes,  and  a  noble  man  he  will  make.  Here 
his  energies  were  cramped  for  want  of  room. 
In  the  grand,  glorious  West  he  will  have  space 
to  grow.  That  boy  will  make  his  mark,  or 
I'm  mistaken." 

Seeing  that  the  widow  and  her  daughters 
were  greatly  interested,  the  Superintendent 
went  on,  "  I  have  some  letters  in  my  pocket 
from  boys  in  the  West  which  I  will  read  to 
you. 

"  Here  is  one  from  a  lad  who  was  homeless 
and  friendless  in  the  streets  for  a  long  time 
before  he  found  his  way  to  the  Lodging- 
House : 

" ;  DEAR  SIR  :  — I  have  been  thinking  of  writ- 
ing to  you  for  some  time  ;  but  I  have  been  so 
busy  I  could  not.  I  think  I  ought  to  write  to 
you  twice  a  year,  to  let  you  know  how  I  get 
along.  How  glad  I  am  that  when  I  was  at 
the  Lodging-House,  I  improved  the  opportu- 
nity of  learning  to  write.  If  I  had  idled 


74  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

instead  of  studying,  I  could  not  now  have  had 
the  pleasure  of  informing  you  that  I  attended 
school  last'  summer;  and  my  kind  friends 
with  whom  I  live  have  promised  I  should  go 
through  a  regular  course  of  study  at  an  insti- 
tution near  this  place.  Sometimes  in  the 
night  I  wake  all  covered  with  sweat,  dreaming 
I  am  back  in  the  city,  on  the  top  of  a  hay 
barge  Of  under  a  wagon,  where  I  often  used 
to  lie,  instead  of  being  in  a  comfortable  bed 
(real  hair  mattress)  in  my  neat  room  at  the 
farm. 

" '  I  can  scarcely  yet  realize  the  change  that 
has  come  to  me,  and  that  by  your  kindness 
and  that  of  good  people  who  set  up  the  Lodg- 
ing-House,  I  have  a  beautiful  home  and  friends 
who  help  me  to  be  a  good  and  useful  man. 

" '  When  I  am  out  of  school,  I  do  chores 
about  the  farm  ;  and  there  arc  enough  of  them, 
I  tell  you. 

"  '  We  have  three  hundred  and  fifteen  hogs, 


JACK'S    DINNER-PARTY.  75 

two  hundred  chickens,  plenty  of  geese,  —  old 
geese  and  goslings,  —  and  lots  of  pigeons. 
Sometimes  I  take  Pinky,  the  old  horse,  and 
ride  horseback  to  the  Post  Office,  three  miles 
from  here.  I  just  wish  some  of  the  Lodging- 
House  boys  could  see  me.  They  wouldn't  be 
contented  another  minute  till  they  were  in  the 
cars  for  the  West. 

"  '  I  didn't  expect  to  write  so  long  a  letter  ; 
but  I  thought  you  would  be  pleased  to  know 
that  I  like  my  place  tip-top,  and  that  I  mean 
to  act  by  your  advice,  and  make  the  most  of 
my  advantages. 

"  '  Every  night  I  repeat  the  prayer  I  learned 
of  you,  and  thank  God  that  I  am  not  a  friend- 
less orphan  in  the  city  ;  but  that  he  led  me  to 
the  Lodging-House,  by  which  means  I  am  now 
enjoying  every  comfort. 

"  '  Please  give  my  love  to  all  the  boys  that  I 
knew.  Yours,  affectionately, 

MOSES  TURNER.' 


76  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

"  I  didn't  think  Moses  could  write  so  good  a 
letter,"  exclaimed  Jack,  warmly.  "  I'm  glad 
he's  got  so  good  a  home." 

"  Here  is  another  letter  from  little  Dan 
Watson.  You  remember  him,  Edward,  I  think. 
He  left  just  before  Jack  came.  He  has  gone 
to  live  with  a  farmer  in  Michigan.  When  he 
was  sent  to  us,  his  father  had  gone  to  sea,  and 
his  mother  was  miserably  poor,  living  in  a 
filthy  basement.  He  writes : 

"  '  DEAR  MR.  ROGERS  :  —  I  have  been  very 

well  since  I  left  the  cars.  I  suppose  Mr. 

told  you  how  sick  I  was  then.  I  am  well  now. 
I  am  out  on  a  farm  of  about  two  hundred  acres 
of  land.  I  have  to  do  a  great  many  chores, 
for  they  have  a  great  deal  of  cattle. 

"  '  I  get  up  very  early  in  the  morning  to  light 
the  fire,  then  feed  all  the  cows,  pigs,  horses, 
lambs,  chickens,  ducks,  hens,  and  geese.  I 
have  to  feed  a  wee-wee,  small  sow ;  and  I  saw 
a  horned  lamb.  I  asked  the  man  that  I  lived 


JACK'S    DINNER-PARTY.  77 

with,  if  it  was  a  horned  pig.  You  know  we 
can't  be  silent  all  the  time.  You  know  we 
must  have  a  little  fun  once  in  a  while.  Now 
I  know  you  will  laugh  at  this  letter,  because  it 
is  written  so  bad.  Please  forgive  me  for  writ- 
ing so  crooked. 

"  '  The  people  that  I  live  with  are  very  kind 
to  me.  They  have  given  me  a  horse  and  a  hun- 
dred dollars  for  myself  to  keep.  They  bought 
me  a  pair  of  boots  that  cost  seventeen  shillings. 

I  am  going  to  school  soon. 

DANIEL  WATSON.'  " 

"  I  should  think  such  letters  would  make 
all  the  boys  want  to  go  out  West,"  said  Edith, 
her  deep  blue  eyes  beaming  with  interest. 

"  They  do,  indeed,  have  a  great  effect  on 
them,"  answered  the  gentleman  ;  "  and  so  far 
we  have  had  no  difficulty  in  placing  our  boys. 
Th*  friends  of  the  Lodging-House  have  more 
than  realized  their  anticipations  of  its  useful- 
ness. Many  a  lad,  but  for  this  benevolent 


78  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

• 

institution,  would  now  be  in  the  city  prisons ; 
or,  worse  still,  strolling  the  streets,  a  curse  to 
society,  and  ruining  their  own  souls  by  their 
vices  instead  of  being  in  comfortable  homes 
where,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  they  may  be 
trained  to  be  useful  and  honored  citizens." 

This  was  an  eventful  evening  in  Jack's  life. 
Mr.  Rogers  had  never  seen  him  so  excited  as 
when  he  went  on  to  give  a  glowing  description 
of  Mr.  Sennott's  present;  and  the  boy  after- 
wards confessed  that  it  was  the  proudest  mo- 
ment of  his  life  when  Edith,  at  a  glance  from 
her  mother,  arose  and  presented  their  guest 
with  a  plate  of  delicious  fruit. 

No  one  but  he  and  Edith  knew  that  the 
largest  and  ripest  bunch  of  grapes  had  gone 
to  the  couch  of  a  poor  seamstress  directly  un- 
derneath them  —  one  whose  days  were  already 
numbered ;  and  now  to  be  one  of  a  party  to 
entertain  their  good  Superintendent,  it  was 
almost  too  much  honor  for  one  evening. 


JACK'S    DINNER-PARTY.  79 

It  was  still  early  when  Mr.  Rogers  took  his 
leave,  after  having  invited  the  ladies  to  visit 
the  Lodging-House,  and  the  boys  soon  followed 
him,  being  eager  to  be  by  themselves  and  en- 
joy the  dinner  party  anew  by  discussing  its 
merits.  Little  did  they  suspect  how  quickly 
the  extra  candle  was  extinguished,  while  the 
widow  and  her  daughters  drew  closer  around 
the  table,  being  eager  to  complete  the  four 
shirts,  the  generous  pay  for  which  had  been 
already  passed  over  to  their  landlord. 

"  What  a  happy  day  this  has  been  ! "  said 
Louise,  holding  her  needle  closer  to  the  light 
in  order  to  thread  it. 

"  Now  it  has  passed,  it  seems  more  like  a 
.dream  than  ever,"  answered  her  sister. 

"  We  have  pretty  substantial  proof  that  it  is 
not,"  remarked  the  widow,  with  her  own  pa- 
tient smile.  "  There  is  provision  enough  to 
last  us  a  long  time." 

"  I  feel  stronger  already,"  said  Louise,  "  that 


80  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

beef  soup  was  so  relishing ; "  and  she  moved 
her  lips  as  if  again  enjoying  it. 

"  I  saw  neither  Edward  nor  Jack  eat  much," 
suggested  Edith  ;  "  but  I  understood  their 
motive." 

"  Do  you  think  we  said  enough  to  thank 
them  ?  "  inquired  the  widow.  "  It  must  have 
cost  them  a  great  deal." 

"  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  they  took  every  cent 
they  had  in  the  bank,"  rejoined  Louise,  "  for 
the  dinner  and  their  shirts.  I  wonder  whether 
all  Mr.  Rogers' s  boys  turn  out  as  well.  I  saw 
Edward  shrank  from  being  known  in  it  at  all ; 
but  we  shall  see  them  again,  and  can  tell  them 
how  happy  they  have  made  us." 

"  The  Superintendent  said  that  he  had  many 
discouragements,"  remarked  Mrs.  Holland, 
"  but  was  sure  the  lodging-houses  would  be  a 
great  blessing  to  the  community." 

For  the  next  hour  the  girls  chatted  quite 
merrily  at  their  work,  and  then  Edith  ran 


JACK'S   DINNER-PARTY.  81 

down  to  minister  to  the  wants  of  their  sick, 
almost  dying  neighbor,  before  she  retired  to 
her  own  humble  bed. 

In  the  mean  time  the  widow  sat  silent  and 
absorbed.  The  cares  of  life  were  settling  heav- 
ily again  on  her  heart. 

She  said  to  herself,  "  There  are  flour  and 
meal,  and  a  sack  of  potatoes,  but  no  wood  to 
cook  them.  The  food  already  prepared  will 
last  a  few  days,  and  then,  unless  we  can  earn 
more  than  usual,  we  shall  once  more  be  in 
want." 

She  upbraided  herself  for  the  fears  so  nat- 
ural to  a  mother,  and  tried  to  fasten  her  mind 
upon  the  promise  of  the  Saviour,  who,  after 
stating  his  care  for  his  children  and  his  power 
to  make  all  things  work  for  their  good,  says, 
"  Take  therefore  no  thought  for  the  morrow, 
for  the  morrow  shall  take  thought  for  the 
things  of  itself;  sufficient  unto  the  day  is  the 

evil  thereof." 
6 


82  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

When  Edith  returned  from  her  labor  of  love, 
the  widow  arose,  and,  laying  aside  her  work, 
called  upon  Louise  to  read  a  few  verses, 
and  then  she  committed  herself  and  her  dear 
daughters  to  the  watchful  care  of  their  Heav- 
enly Father,  with  a  blessed  assurance  that  he 
would  fulfil  his  promise  toward  them. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE   NEWS-BOY'S   SPEECH. 

TT  was  rather  late  the  next  evening  as  Jack 
"  entered  the  Lodging-IIouse.  When  he 
was  in  the  school-room  one  of  the  little  fel- 
lows pulled  him  by  the  sleeve,  and,  with  a  sly 
wink,  whispered,  "  There's  a  treat.  Mind  your 
manners,  and  you'll  got  a  bite." 

Jack  laughed.  He  saw  that  something  un- 
usual was  taking  place,  and  had  no  sotmer 
reached  his  seat  near  Edward  than  a  gentle- 
man arose  to  address  them. 

"  I  am  glad  to  meet  you,"  he  began.  "  I  was 
told  that  I  should  find  something  of  interest  at 
the  News-Boy's  Lodging-House  ;  but  I  did  not 

expect  to  be  half  so  well  pleased.     I  am  a 

83 


84  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

stranger  in  the  city.     I  live  on  a  prairie  farm 
in  the  great  "West." 

>  "Good  !  good  !  I'm  going  West,"  "  I  want 
to  be  a  farmer,"  "  I'll  go  back  with  you,"  was 
the  loud,  earnest  cry  from  many  voices. 

"  Last  night,  at  ten  o'clock,  I  met  a  news- 
boy. He  was  smaller  than  any  of  you  except 
that  little  fellow  [pointing  to  Paddy  Lyons]. 
By  the  light  of  the  street  lamp  I  saw  he  looked 
weary  and  hungry ;  but  he  had  a  bundle  of 
of  papers  under  his  arm,  and  he  called  out  — 

"  '  Evening  ede-shun  —  News  by  the  steamer 
—  Latest  extra.  Want  a  paper,  sir  ?  '  to  every 
one  who  passed  him. 

""1  was  waiting  for  an  omnibus,  and  I  thought 
I  would  ask  the  little  fellow  why  he  did  not 
go  home.  What  do  you  think  he  answered  ?  " 

"  Hadn't  any  home,"  cried  one. 

"  Dad  is  dead  and  mammy's  drunk,"  whined 
another,  in  a  mimicking  tone,  which  set  the 
school  into  a  roar. 


THE  NEWS-BOY'S  SPEECH.  85 

"  He  had  no  father  or  mother  ;  but  there 
was  a  woman  who  sometimes  let  him  sleep  in 
her  cellar,  and  she  had  forbidden  him  to  go 
there  till  he  had  sold  all  his  papers.  He  held 
up  his  bundle  to  show  me  that  he  had  still 
quite  a  number,  and  faltered,  pleadingly,  '  I'll 
sell  'em  cheap,  sir,  —  dirt-cheap.  Wont  you 
take  one  ? ' 

"  My  heart  ached  for  the  little  news-boy, 
whose  tearful  eye  reminded  me  of  my  own 
darlings  at  home ;  so  I  said, '  Count  them,  and 
I'll  take  them  all.' 

"  He  gave  a  scream  of  joy ;  and,  tumbling 
the  papers  over,  announced  that  there  were 
thirteen.  When  I  had  paid  him,  to  my  great 
astonishment  he  turned  a  complete  somerset 
on  the  pavement,  crying  — 

"  '  Now  I'll  have  some  supper.'  At  that  mo- 
ment the  omnibus  came  along,  and  I  lost  sight 
of  him." 

"  Good  !   good  !     You're    a    keen    one  ; " 


86  NEVER    GIVE   UP. 

"  You  '11  do,"  together  with  loud  clapping  of 
hands,  here  interrupted  the  speaker. 

"  But  I  did  not  forget  him.  Even  when  I 
was  in  bed  I  lay  wondering  where  he  was,  and 
wishing  I  could  take  him  out  to  my  farm, 
where  corn  and  wheat  and  potatoes  are  so 
plenty,  that  no  one  need  to  go  hungry." 

"  Take  me— I'll  go  ;  "  "  And  I  too,"  cried 
one  and  another. 

"  I  thought,  too,  that  I  should  like  to  ed- 
ucate that  orphan  boy,  and  see  what  he  would 
become  in  our  great,  growing  country.  I  think 
he  was  smart !  I  think  all  news-boys  are 
smart." 

"  So  they  are  !     That's  the  talk !  " 

"  I  feel  confident  that  all  news-boys  need,  is 
an  opportunity  to  do  something,  in  order  to 
distinguish  themselves.  Suppose,  for  instance, 
you,  or  you,  little  fellow,  were  to  wake  up  to- 
morrow morning  and  find  yourself  on  a  large 
farm,  where  there  were  horses,  and  sheep,  and 


THE  NEWS-BOY'S  SPEECH.  87 

hundreds  of  acres  of  corn  and  wheat  growing, 
and  wild  fowl  to  be  had  for  the  shooting ; 
Suppose  that  you  were  treated  kindly,  as  boys 
always  should  be  treated  ;  that  you  had  enough 
to  eat  and  drink  and  friends  to  be  interested 
in  your  welfare  ;  do  you  think  you  would  steal 
from  your  master,  or  lie  to  him,  or  shirk  your 
business  ?  " 

"No!  no!  no!  That's  what  I  wouldn't." 
"  No,  no,  no,"  I  say.  "  You  would  love 
your  new  home  ;  you  would  love  your  master 
and  mistress ;  you  would  love  the  horses  that 
you  fed  ;  you  would  love  the  sheep  that  came 
running  at  your  call ;  you'd  love  the  grand 
old  trees  waving  over  you ;  and  by  and  by 
you'd  begin  to  love  your  Heavenly  Father, 
and  thank  him  for  sending  you  there." 

Here  there  was  such  a  tumult  of  applause 
that  the  gentleman  sat  down ;  but  after  a  few 
moments  rose  again,  and  said,  "  I  have  not 
quite  done.  Your  good  Superintendent  tells 


88  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

me  that  there  are  a  great  many  boys  who 
are  sent  to  the  West  every  year  from  the 
Lodging-House,  —  that  they  like  to  go,  —  and 
that  he  hears  good  accounts  from  them  when 
they  get  there.  Now  let  me  tell  you  that  the 
boy  who  is  industrious  and  persevering  in  his 
business  here ;  the  boy  who  abstains  from 
swearing,  from  telling  lies,  from  being  low  and 
vulgar  in  his  manners  or  conversation,  is 
the  boy  we  want  out  West ;  and  when  he  gets 
there,  he's  the  one  who  rises  to  be  a  rich 
man,  a  good  neighbor,  a  Governor,  perhaps. 
But,  on  the  other  hand,  the  boy  who  steals, 
and  lies,  and  swears,  and  drinks  rum,  and 
fights  in  the  streets,  is  the  one  who  ought  to 
stay  in  the  city,  where  the  police  can  take 
care  of  him.  We  don't  want  him  in  the  West. 
We  have  no  police  officers  on  our  farms  or 
near  them." 

"  It's  no  great  of  a  loss,"  said  one.     "  Good 
luck  to  you,   sir, "  cried  another.     "  Hurrah, 


THE  NEWS-BOY'S  SPEECH.  89 

boys!  Three  cheers  for  the  farmer  from  the 
West !  " 

And  three  such  hearty  cheers  as  they  gave, 
some  rising,  some  throwing  up  their  arms, 
you  seldom  heard. 

"  Now,"  said  the  Superintendent,  when  he 
could  be  heard,  "  we  have  all  listened  to  the 
gentleman's  speech  with  great  pleasure,  and  I 
want  him  to  see  that  news-boys,  too,  are  capa- 
ble of  making  speeches.  Who  do  you  choose 
for  your  orator  ?  " 

"  Paddy !  Paddy !  "  shouted  one  and  all. 
"  Come  out,  Paddy.  "  Why  don't  you  show 
yourself?" 

Presently  Paddy  came  forward,  with  a  comic 
twinkle  in  his  eye,  and  stood  upon  a  stool.  He 
was  not  more  than  twelve  years  of  age,  with  a 
short  nose,  a  small  round  eye,  a  lithe  form, 
and  his  phiz  chuck  full  of  fun. 

Looking  round  slowly,  as  if  he  were  address- 


'JO  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

ing  a  large  audience,  be  began,  in  his  own 
peculiar  style : 

"  Bummers,  snoozers,  and  citizens,  I've  come 
down  bere  among  ye  to  talk  to  ye  a  little.  Me 
and  my  friend,"  pointing  to  the  gentleman  from 
the  West,  have  come  to  see  how  ye're  gitting 
along  and  to  advise  yer.  You  fellers  as  stands 
at  the  shops  with  yer  noses  over  the  railiii's, 
smellin'  ov  the  roast-beef  and  the  hash  ;  you 
feller  who's  got  no  home,  think  how  good  we 
are  to  encourage  ye  !  " 

Ha  ha's,  and  shouts  of  derisive  laughter 
bere  interrupted  the  speaker. 

"  I  say,  bummers,  —  for  yer  all  bummers 
[in  a  tone  of  kind  patronage]  ;  I  was  a  bum- 
mer once  [great  laughter],  —  I  hate  to  see 
yer  spendin'  yer  money  on  penny  ice-creams. 
Why  don't  you  save  yer  money  ?  You  feller 
without  no  boots,  how  would  you  like  a  new 
pair  —  eh?  Well,  I  hope  you  may  get 'em  ; 
but  I  rayther  think  you  wont." 


THE  NEWS-BOY'S  SPEECH.  91 

Here  there  was  great  laughter  from  all  the 
boys  except  the  one  addressed. 

"  I  have  hopes  for  you  all.  I  want  you  to 
grow  up  to  be  rich  men,  citizens,  government- 
men,  lawyers,  generals,  and  influence  men. 
Well,  boys,  I'll  tell  you  a  story.  My  dad  was 
a  hard  'un.  One  beautiful  day  he  went  011  a 
spree ;  and  he  came  home  and  told  me 
'  Where's  yer  mother  ? '  and  I  axed  him  I 
didn't  know ;  and  he  hit  me  over  the  head 
with  an  iron  pot,  and  knocked  me  down,  and 
me  mither  drapped  in  on  him,  and  at  it  they 
went." 

Paddy  was  here  interrupted  with  loud  "  Hi 
hi's,"  and  demonstrative  applaiise. 

"  Ah !  at  it  they  went ;  and  at  it  they  kept ; 
—  ye  should  have  seen  'em  —  and  whilst  they 
were  fightin'  I  slipped  meself  out  the  back 
door,  and  away  I  went  like  a  scart  dog. 

"  Come,  now,  dry  up !  Bag  your  head,  Paddy. 
Simmer  down." 


92  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

"  Well,  boys,  I  wint  on  till  I  kim  to  the 
'  Home  for  the  Friendless  ; '  and  they  took 
me  in  and  did  for  me,  without  a  cap  to  me 
head  or  shoes  to  me  feet,  and  thin  I  ran  away, 
and  here  I  am.  Now,  boys  [with  mock  so- 
lemnity], be  good;  mind  yer  manners;  copy 
me,  and  see  what  ye'll  become." 

As  he  made  his  bow,  the  youthful  Demos- 
thenes jumped  from  his  stool,  and  was  soon 
engaged  in  a  dispute  with  a  big  boy  who  be- 
lieved all  that  Paddy  had  said. 

"  Now,"  said  Mr.  Rogers,  "  you  are  invited  to 
partake  of  some  apples  which  our  good  friend 
the  farmer  from  the  West  has  provided." 

"  Good  !  good!  "  "  That's  delaslms!  "  " He'? 
the  kind  !  "  was  the  unanimous  response  ;  and 
presently  huge  pans  of  apples  were  brought  in 
and  passed  around. 

Soon  after,  a  hymn  was  given  out,  which 
all  joined  heartily  in  singing,  and  then  retired 
quietly  to  their  beds. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


JACK   ASPIRING. 


F 


.OR  several  days  Jack  watched  for  the  ap- 


pearance of  Mr.  Seniiott,  with  the  double 
purpose  of  thanking  him  for  his  present  and 
soliciting  work  from  the  ladies  of  the  attorney's 
family.  He  had  incidentally  learned  that  both 
mother  and  daughters  were  qualified  to  engage 
in  much  more  profitable  employment  ;  and 
would  be  thankful  for  embroidering  or  dress- 
making. 

But  he  watched   in  vain.      Neither  in  his 

office,  nor  at  his  residence  in  B Street, 

where  the  boy  lingered  on  several  successive 
mornings,  could  he  see  anything  of  the  gen- 
tleman. 

93 


94  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

At  length  he  mustered  up  resolution  to  in- 
quire of  the  office  clerk,  and  learned  to  his 
dismay  that  his  benefactor  had  gone  with  his 
family  to  Europe  for  the  benefit  of  his  daugh- 
ter's health. 

This  was  a  severe  blow  to  the  brilliant  ex- 
pectations he  had  formed  of  securing  to  Mrs. 
Holland  a  powerful  friend  ;  but  in  the  busy 
life  he  now  led  (he  had  been  advanced  to  the 
highest  class  in  the  school),  one  month  after 
another  wore  away  until  Christmas,  with  its 
festivities,  was  at  hand. 

All  honor  to  those  benevolent  persons  who, 
in  the  midst  of  their  own  happiness,  do  not 
forget  the  friendless  children  at  the  lodging- 
houses. 

The  occasion  this  year  was  a  peculiarly 
happy  one.  Christmas  day,  though  cold,  was 
clear  and  bright.  Contributions  for  the  din- 
ner began  to  arrive  before  the  company  of 
news-boys  started  on  their  daily  round,  causing 


JACK   ASPIRING.  95 

loud  bursts  of  merriment,  with  cries  from  the 
younger  ones. 

"  Good !  good  !  "  "  We'll  have  a  high  din- 
ner to-day."  "  Hi !  see  that  gobbler."  "  Come, 
now,  be  quiet,  will  you  ?  "  "I  smell  plum 
pudding." 

It  required  some  urging  from  the  Superin- 
tendent before  they  could  tear  themselves  away 
from  the  scene  of  so  much  interest ;  but  they 
comforted  themselves  that  the  sooner  they 
went,  the  sooner  they  could  return ;  and  at 

length  ran  merrily  down  the  long  flights  of 

i 

stairs  into  the  street. 

Many  a  news-boy,  that  morning,  as  he  sold 
his  papers,  uttered  a  hearty  "  I  wish  you  a 
merry  Christmas,  sir,"  or  "  I  wish  you  a  merry 
Christmas,  lady,"  thinking,  perhaps,  that  these 
very  persons  had  contributed  toward  their 
merriment  and  happiness  at  the  dinner-table. 

"  I  wish  I  could  get  rid  of  just  these  two 
papers,"  said  one  little  fellow,  meeting  his  com- 


93  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

panion,  as  the  morning  wore  on.  "  All  sold 
out  but  these  two  ;  and  they  burn  my  fingers, 
I  want  to  get  rid  of  'em  so  bad." 

Jack  Stetson  at  this  moment  happened  to  be 
passing,  and,  pitying  the  little  fellow,  who  was 
very  thinly  clad,  he  said  : 

"  Here,  Bill,  give  them  to  me.  I'll  sell 
them  for  you,  and  give  you  the  money  when 
I  go  to  dinner.  There,  off  with  you,  and  get 
warm." 

The  earnest  glance  of  wonder  and  gratitude 

was  enough  to  cheer  Jack's  heart,  though  not 

• 
a  word  of  thanks  was  spoken,  as,  after  the  boy 

passed  the  papers  to  his  companion,  he  started 
on  the  run  "for  the  Lodging-House,  his  only 
home. 

It  seemed  to  Jack  that  even  this  trifling  act 
of  kindness  received  its  reward  ;  for  in  a  short 
time  he  had  disposed  of  all  his  papers,  and  was 
ready  to  follow  to  the  Lodging-House. 

He  found  Ned  waiting  for  him  at  the  door, 


JACK   ASPIRING.  97 

eager  to  relate  the  events  of  the  morning  and 
talk  over  anticipated  pleasures.  They  pro- 
ceeded together  up  the  long  flights  until  they 
reached  the  school-room,  where  most  of  the  boys 
were  gathered,  trying  to  wait  patiently  their 
summons  to  dinner. 

Many  strangers  were  coming  and  going, 
some  carrying  away  empty  baskets  which  had 
been  filled  with  turkeys,  chickens,  and  pies  ; 
others  bringing  fresh  supplies,  accompanied  by 
the  wishes  of  the  donors  that  this  might  be  a 
happy  Christmas  to  the  news-boys ;  and  still 
others  coming  to  witness  with  their  own  eyes 
the  delight  of  the  children,  some  of  whom, 
perhaps  for  the  first  time  in  their  lives,  were 
seated  at  a  bountiful  meal. 

And  now  the  long  waited  for  summons  is 
heard  ;  and  what  a  rush  there  is  down  stairs 
to  the  dining-hall !  Mrs.  Rogers,  with  her  smil- 
ing face  and  her  kind  word  for  each,  is  here  and 
there  and  everywhere  ;  adding  another  dish  of 


98  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

meat,  and  making  room  by  a  little  crowding 
for  an  additional  pie. 

The  little  fellows  make  a  rush  for  the  table, 
every  faculty  wide  awake  and  ready  for  action, 
—  heads  erect,  eyes  staring  in  wonder  at  the 
bounties  before  them,  nostrils  dilated  snuffing 
the  rich  aroma,  and  mouths  watering  for  the 
entertainment  to  commence. 

Two  gentlemen,  friends  of  the  institution, 
assisted  Mr.  Rogers  in  carving  the  meat, 
while  half  a  score  of  ladies  reformed  the  part 
of  waiters  most  gracefully.  After  thanks  had 
been  offered  to  the  Giver  of  all  good  for  this 
new  token  of  his  favor,  the  work  of  eathig  com- 
menced in  earnest.  One  little  feilow,  who  had 
been  but  a  few  days  rescued  from  the  street, 
made  remarks  on  the  food  which  occasioned  a 
shout  of  merriment.  As  he  saw  the  huge  tur- 
keys, legs  of  ham,  and  roast  beef,  he  exclaimed : 

"  How  can  we  eat  such  big  things  ?  Where 
did  they  come  from  ?  " 


JACK    ASPIRING.  99 

It  was  not  until  the  appetite  of  the  children 
was  partially  allayed-,  that  they  had  time  to  ad- 
mire the  room,  which  was  tastefully  trimmed 
with  evergreen,  looped  up  with  bouquets  of 
flowers. 

Mr.  Rogers,  who  seemed  more  than  ever 
like  a  father,  directed  everything,  quieting  the 
children  when  they  became  too  noisy,  with- 
out causing  them  to  feel  that  they  were  under 
restraint. 

When  t'ie  meal  was  concluded,  several  of 
the  visitors  "^ade  speeches ;  to  which,  at  the 
suggestion  •'•  .r  teacher,  some  of  the  boys 
responded,  thanking  their  friends  in  their  own 
peculiar  way  for  remembering  them  on  this 
happy  occasion.  This  exercise  was  followed 
by  singing,  in  the  midst  of  which  a  poor  boy 
came  in  from  the  street  with  a  pitiful  story 
of  destitution,  which  elicited  the  sympathy  of 
all. 

When  the  company  had  retired,  the  boys, 


100  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

determined  to  make  the  most  of  their  holiday, 
returned  to  the  school-room,  where  an  hour  or 
two  was  passed  in  merry  games,  speeches,  and 
singing ;  and  then,  having  joined  in  the  even- 
ing devotions,  retired  quietly  to  their  berths, 
all  agreeing  that  this  was  the  happiest  day  they 
had  ever  passed. 

Jack  was  still  a  news-boy  ;  but  Ned  had  been 
promoted  to  a  place  in  the  office  of  the  paper 
with  which  he  had  long  been  connected.  Notice 
had  been  taken  of  him  by  one  of  the  editors, 
and,  after  inquiries  made  of  Mr.  Rogers,  he 
was  advanced  to  setting  type ;  and  thus  one  of 
his  early  dreams  was  accomplished.  With  this 
change  in  his  prospects,  young  Norris  was 
removed  to  a  regular  boarding-house,  where 
a  number  of  young  men,  similarly  circum- 
stanced, had  their  home.  The  evening  school, 
too,  had  to  be  given  up ;  but  Mr.  Rogers,  who 
still  remained  his  friend  arid  adviser,  reminded 
him  that  Benjamin  Franklin  gained  great 


JACK    ASPIRING.  101 

knowledge,  by  improving  every  spare  moment 
in  the  cultivation  of  his  mind. 

Once  or  twice  every  week,  Ned,  with  his 
friend  Jack,  passed  the  evening  in  Mrs.  Hol- 
land's quiet  room.  She  did  not  now  occupy 
the  one  where  we  last  saw  her,  but  had  re- 
moved to  another  house  in  the  same  block ; 
where,  subject  to  a  more  considerate  landlord, 
she  had  more  privileges  for  the  same  money, 
and  was  sure  she  should  not,  for  want  of  that 
prompt  payment  which  she  sometimes  found 
impossible,  be  turned  at  once  into  the  street. 

It  had  become  the  custom  for  the  lads  to 
read  aloud  to  the  widow  and  her  daughters, 
while  they  diligently  plied  their  needles  —  Ed- 
ward furnishing  the  reading  from  the  office, 
where  he  had  obtained  permission  of  his  mas- 
ter to  take  any  of  the  books.  These  visits  were 
usually  accompanied  by  some  trifling  token 
of  remembrance.  Sometimes  Jack  bought  a 
loaf  of  bread,  and  Edward  a  pound  of  meat,  or 


102  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

they  put  their  funds  together  to  eke  out  the 
rent  when  it  was  due.  All  fear  of  offending 
by  their  simple  gifts  was  quite  past  now ;  for 
the  widow  and  her  daughters  had  come  to 
understand  how  great  a  pleasure  it  was  to  the 
lads  to  feel  that  hers  was  a  kind  of  home  to 
which  they  had  a  claim ;  and  here  they  were 
sure  to  find  friends  who  could  sympathize  both 
in  their  trials  and  sorrows. 

Mrs.  Holland  and  her  daughters  were  de- 
lighted to  hear  anything  of  interest  concerning 
the  Lodging-House,  and  the"  labors  of  the  in- 
defatigable Mr.  Rogers. 

One  evening  the  boys  entered  her  room  in 
great  glee.  "  "We've  had  a  fine  time  to-night," 
said  Jack. 

"  I  can't  help  laughing  to  think  how  pleased 
some  of  the  little  fellows  looked,"  exclaimed 
Ned. 

"  Do  tell  us  about  it,"  urged  Edith. 

"  Well,"  said  Jack, "  I  will ;  but  it's  a  pretty 


JACK   ASPIRING.  103 

long  story.  You  see  Mr. ,  a  rich  gentle- 
man in  this  city,  heard  that  there  were  a  good 
many  boys  in  the  Lodging-House  who  were  in 
need  of  shoes ;  so  what  does  he  do  but  ask  Mr. 
Rogers  to  make  out  a  list  for  him  of  the  num- 
ber and  sizes  that  were  needed.  They  came 
to-day,  nailed  up  in  three  great  boxes  —  three 
hundred  dollars  worth  ;  and  there  they  stood  in 
the  entry  till  after  supper.  "We  always  have  a 
little  time  for  fun  then,  and  better  fun  I  never 
wish  to  see  than  we  had  to-night.  We  were 
all  in  the  midst  of  a  noisy  game,  when  Mr. 
Rogers  brought  down  his  hand  on  his  desk, 
and  called  us  to  orfler.  The  boxes  had  been 
brought  in,  and  the  shoes  lay  on  the  large 
table.  I  saw  some  of  those  little  barefooted 
fellows  gazing  wistfully  at  them. 

"  '  Boys,'  said  Mr.  Rogers,  '  I  want  your 
attention  a  few  minutes.' 

"  '  All  right,  sir'  was  the  general  response. 

"  '  A  kind  friend  has  sent  these  shoes  here 


104  NEVER   GIVE  UP. 

for  those  who  have  none.  All -who  need  shoes 
may  raise  their  hands." 

"  Such  a  laughing  and  clapping  of  hands, 
and  crying  '  Good  !  good  ! '  'I  need  some,' 
'  And  I, '  you  never  heard.  One  little  fellow 
began  to  cry,  he  was  so  glad.  His  feet  were 
all  covered  with  chilblains,  so  that  he  had  to 
wear  soft  rags  around  them. 

"  Then  they  began  to  go  up  one  at  a  time, 
to  have  a  pair  fitted  to  their  feet,  and  go  back 
to  make  room  for  the  next. 

"  '  Did  you  see  that  red-headed  chap  ? '  asked 
Ned,  laughing  ;  '  how  afraid  he  was  that  the 
shoes  would  all  be  gon»  before  it  came  his 
turn.  He  tried  to  push  little  Paddy  Lyons  out 
of  the  way,  till  Mr.  Rogers  said,  '  Be  patient, 
Miles  ;  your  turn  will  come  in  time." 

"  I  know  what  I  would  do,  if  I  were  rich," 
exclaimed  Jack.  "  I  would  spend  all  my  time 
going  round  among  poor  people  and  lodging- 
houses,  and  making  them  happy." 


\\ 


JACK   ASPIRING.  105 

"  I  think  Mr. must  be  a  happy  man 

to-night,"  faltered  Mrs.  Holland,  with  glis- 
tening eyes.  "  Such  men  are  an  honor  to 
humanity.  We  ought  to  thank  God  for  them." 

"  If  every  rich  man  was  like  him,"  suggested 
Edith,  "  there  would  be  very  little  suffering 
among  the  poor  compared  with  the  present." 

She  sighed ;  and  Jack  thought  he  saw  a  tear 
drop  on  her  work. 

"  "Well,  I  guess  some  of  our  chaps  will  go 
to  bed  with  lighter  hearts  to-night,"  he  said,  in 
a  cheerful  tone,  hoping  to  change  the  subject. 

"  Even  if  they  have  heavy  heels,"  retorted 
Louise,  laughing. 

"  I  should  like  to  have  been  there,"  said 
Edith,  glancing  up  from  her  work. 

"  You  have  never  accepted  Mr.  Rogers's 
invitation,"  exclaimed  Jack,  springing  to  his 
feet.  "  Why  can't  you  go  to-night  ?  " 

Mrs.  Holland  saw  the  color  deepen  in  the 
checks  of  her  daughters,  and  sighed  as  she  felt 


106  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

obliged  to  deny  this  slight  indulgence.  But 
stern  necessity  was  upon  her,  bearing  her  down 
with  his  iron  grasp  ;  and  though  she  realized 
what  a  relief  it  would  be  for  them  to  vary  their 
monotonous  toil  by  a  visit  to  the  Lodging- 
House,  she  said,  calmly : 

"  Not  to-night,  Jack.  We  have  promised 
that  these  shirts  shall  be  finished." 

Before  they  left,  however,  the  boys  succeeded 
in  persuading  them  to  name  a  day  for  the  visit, 
Louise  declaring  that  she  would  get  up  an 
hour  or  two  earlier  to  earn  the  time. 


CHAPTER  VIIL 

VISIT   TO   THE   LODGING-HOUSE. 

T)ERIIAPS  my  young  readers  would  like  to 
-•-  accompany  Mrs.  Holland  and  her  daugh- 
ters on  the  visit  proposed  at  the  close  of  the 
last  chapter. 

Imagine  yourself,  then,  at  the  top  of  a  long 
flight,  or  rather  of  five  flights  of  stairs,  leading 
up  through  a  dark  passage  to  the  door  of  a 
large  apartment.  In  this,  the  rows  of  benches 
with  the  platform  on  each  end  indicate  it  as 
the  school-room,  play-room,  and  chapel. 

Mrs.  Rogers  came  forward,  the  sleeves  of  her 
dress  rolled  up  above  the  elbow,  and  cordially 

greeted  her  visitors,  whom  Jack  introduced  as 

107 


108  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

his  particular  friends.  Ned,  who  was  also  a 
visitor,  playfully  seated  them  in  the  chairs  set 
apart  for  company ;  while  Jack  mounted  the 
platform,  and  gave  them  a  speech. 

Only  two  or  three  boys  were  to  be  seen 
about,  the  rest  being  absent  at  their  daily  toil. 
One  of  these,  as  ragged  and  dirty  a  little  fel- 
low as  you  would  care  to  see,  Louise  at  once 
made  a  hero  of,  on  account  of  his  large,  ex- 
pressive eyes.  She  inquired  of  Mrs.  Rogers 
who  he  was,  and  where  he  would  be  likely  to 
be  sent. 

Going  from  this  room,  by  another  passage, 
down  one  flight,  they  reached  the  lodging- 
room,  designed  to  accommodate  about  three 
hundred.  This  apartment,  with  its  neat  patch- 
work-covered berths,  much  interested  the 
ladies.  The  room  was  divided  off  by  iron 
posts,  to  which  the  tiers  of  berths  were  fastened 
— the  beds  being  made  of  stout  wires,  fastened 
across  from  one  post  to  another.  Upon  these 


VISIT   TO   THE   LODGING-HOUSE.  109 

the  wooden  slats  were  placed,  which  were 
covered  with  nice  little  mattresses.  Between 
every  row  of  these  berths  was  an  open  space, 
about  two  feet  in  width,  so  that  they  could  be 
easily  made  up.  Each  one  of  them  was  num- 
bered, as  was  also  the  lock-closet,  allowed  each 
child  for  the  use  of  his  clothes.  The  same 
number  given  to  the  boy's  berth,  was  also  given 
to  his  box  in  the  savings  bank,  to  his  hook  in 
the  hall,  and  to  his  seat  at  the  table. 

Before  they  left  this  room,  Mrs.  Rogers  in- 
formed them  that,  though  a  good  deal  of  liberty 
was  allowed  the  boys  in  the  school-room  and 
at  their  meals,  here  perfect  order  and  qiiiet 
were  enforced  —  no  child  being  allowed  to 
communicate  at  all,  even  with  his  nearest 
neighbor. 

Adjoining  the  lodging-room  was  the  eating- 
hall,  with  four  rows  of  narrow  tables.  These 
were  set  for  the  next  meal,  which  was  supper, 
with  plates  of  common  earthen  ware  —  a  bri- 


110  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

tannia  cup,  knife,  fork,  and  spoon  being  given 
to  each  child. 

The  fare,  the  matron  informed  them,  was 
wholesome  and  abundant,  though  exceedingly 
plain.  When  rice  was  given  them,  it  formed 
nearly  the  entire  meal.  Hasty-pudding  was  a 
favorite  dish ;  and  the  diet  was  varied  with 
bread,  hash,  etc. 

The  next  object  of  interest  was  the  bank, 
into  which  the  boys  were  encouraged  to  put  all 
their  savings.  This  was  merely  an  immense 
table,  checked  off  into  squares,  which  were 
numbered.  By  the  side  of  each  figure  was  a 
slit,  or  hole,  through  which  the  coin  could  be 
dropped  into  the  box  beneath.  The  first  of 
every  month  the  bank  is  opened,  and  every  boy 
who  wishes  can  withdraw  his  money,  or  re- 
ceive the  interest  on  his  deposit.  The  boxes, 
with  numbers  corresponding  to  those  on  the 
top,  can  be  drawn  out,  so  that  each  boy  can 
take  his  money. 


VISIT   TO   THE   LODGING-HOUSE.  Ill 

While  they  were  examining  the  bank,  the 
Superintendent  came  in.  After  expressing  his 
pleasure  at  seeing  them  there,  he  told  them  of 
an  act  of  charity  performed  by  a  gentleman 
to  the  institution.  A  deposit  of  money  was 
placed  in  his  hands,  to  be  loaned  in  small  sums 
of  twenty-five  cents  each,  to  such  boys  as  were 
needy,  to  start  them  in  business.  Upon  this 
deposit  between  four  and  five  hundred  dollars 
had  already  been  made  by  the  borrowers ; 
which  showed  how  many  boys  only  need  a  lit- 
tle assistance  at  starting,  in  order  to  be  able 
to  support  themselves.  He  said  the  cases  were 
very  rare  where  the  borrowed  money  was  not 
returned,  though  sometimes  after  the  expira- 
tion of  a  month. 

It  was  an  incalculable  benefit  to  Jack  and 
Ned  to  have  the  acquaintance  of  such  a  family 
as  Mrs.  Holland's.  Happy  would  it  be  if  more 
of  our  youth  could  look  forward  to  a  quiet, 
profitable  evening  with  those  who  have  the  fear 


112  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

of  God  before  their  eyes,  and  who  let  their  light 
shine.  In  this  instance,  the  benefit  was  mutual. 

"  Do  you  think  the  boys  will  come  to-night  ?  " 
or,  "  This  is  the  evening  for  Jack  and  Ned," 
were  common  words,  as  the  day  began  to  de- 
cline. 

The  future  welfare  of  the  lads  was  also  a 
source  of  much  speculation.  Louise  prophe- 
sied that  Jack  would  be  the  most  successful 
man.  But  Edith  had  grown  to  understand 
that  her  sister,  on  one  point,  did  not  always 
speak  her  mind,  and  therefore  made  a  point  of 
differing  from  her.  Jack,  however,  as  their 
oldest  friend,  was  very  dear  to  them  both. 
During  the  year  he  had  grown  both  taller  and 
stouter ;  and  there  was  an  appearance  of  talent 
about  him  which  won  him  many  friends.  Of 
late  they  had  noticed  a  change  in  his  demeanor, 
—  not  as  if  he  was  envious  of  his  friend's 
prosperity,  but  a  growing  dissatisfaction  with 
his  own  employment. 


VISIT   TO   TIIE  LODGING-HOUSE.  113 

"  It  is  well  enough  for  a  boy,"  he  said,  one 
evening  ;  "  but  I  have  outgrown  it.  I  am 
ashamed  of  myself  every  time  I  'take  out  a 
bundle  of  papers." 

"  But  you  make  a  good  business  of  it,"  re- 
sponded Edward  ;  *'  and  since  you  have  been 
able  to  buy  so  many  at  such  a  discount,  and 
can  so  readily  dispose  of  all  you  wish  to  the 
smaller  boys,  you  seldom  appear  in  the  trade 
at  all." 

"  No,"  cried  Louise,  laughing.  "  You  are 
no  longer  a  news-boy ;  you  are  a  commission 
merchant." 

To  their  astonishment  lie  scarcely  smiled. 
"  I  am  sick  of  it,"  he  said.  "  I  want  to  be 
something  better  than  a  news-boy." 

And  this  was  true.  What  step  to  take,  or 
in  Avhat  manner  to  advance  his  position,  he 
know  not ;  but  this  advancement  was  the  sub- 
ject of  his  thoughts  by  day,  and  of  his  dreams 
by  night.  Several  times  he  talked  with  Mr. 


114  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

Rogers,  when  one  boy  after  another  left  the 
Lodging-House,  having  entered  on  some  new 
employment,  either  in  or  out  of  the  city.  On 
several  occasions  when  a  number  of  the  lads 
were  sent  out  to  the  West  to  work  on  farms, 
he  had  expressed  his  wish  to  join  them,  and 
found  it  very  hard  to  practise  the  virtue  of 
patience,  which  the  Superintendent  was  so  fond 
of  preaching.  He  was  little  aware  that  for  sev- 
eral months  his  kind  friend  had  been  actively 
engaged  in  searching  for  some  suitable  opening 
for  the  lad,  whom  he  considered  a  youth  of 
uncommon  abilities.  No,  he  became  moody 
under  deferred  hope,  and  had  come  to  the  de- 
termination to  do  something  for  himself,  when 
two  events  occurred  which,  for  the  time, 
changed  the  current  of  his  thoughts. 

He  was  one  morning  distributing  his  papers 
to  the  tribe  of  boys  he  now  employed,  when  he 
saw  a  gentleman  approaching,  in  whom,  after 

* 


VISIT   TO    THE   LODGING-HOUSE.  115 

one  quick,  searching  glance,  he  recognized 
Mr.  Sennott. 

With  a  glad  bound  he  was  by  his  side  ; 
and,  forgetting  how  a  year  had  changed  his 
own  appearance,  eagerly  spoke  his  words  of 
"  Welcome  home,  sir  !  " 

It  was  a  full  moment  before  the  reply  came  ; 
and  Jack,  wounded  to  the  core  at  this  appar- 
ent coolness,  was  about  to  turn  away,  when  the 
interrogation  came,  "  Can  it  be  possible  this  is 
my  old  friend  Jack  Stetson  ?  Why,  you  are 
very  much  grown,  —  and  improved,  I  was 
going  to  add  ;  but  of  that  I  am  not  certain  as 
yet." 

The  youth  had  now  time  to  notice  that  Mr. 
Sennott  wore  a  weed  on  his  hat,  and  that  he 
looked  pale  and  careworn.  "  I  am  very  glad 
to  see  you  home  again,"  he  repeated,  in  a  more 
subdued  tone. 

"  And  are  you  still  at  your  old  business, 
Jack  ? " 


116  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

The  news-boy  colored  painfully,  as  he  an- 
swered, "  Yes,  sir  ;  but  I'm  too  old  for  it,  and 
I  intend  to  leave  it." 

"  Well,  you  must  come  to  my  office  soon, 
and  tell  me  all  your  plans." 

The  gentleman  sighed  as  he  added,  "  I  have 
met  with  a  sad  loss  since  I  saw  you.  We 
buried  our  dear  Alice  at  Nice." 

There  was  a  moment's  pause,  and  then  Jack 
asked,  "  How  is  Alfred,  sir  ?  " 

Mr.  Sennott's  face  lighted  again.  "  Ah  !  "  he 
responded,  "  Alfred  is  wonderfully  grown  — 
almost  as  large  as  you  are.  The  voyage  over 
set  him  up  at  once,  and  he  has  been  growing 
hearty  ever  since." 

"  You  must  come  and  see  him,"  the  gentle- 
man was  going  to  add,  but  he  checked  himself. 
He  was  not  quite  sure  how  the  news-boy  had 
spent  his  time  during  the  past  year  ;  and,  there- 
fore, whether  he  would  be  a  proper  associate 
for  his  boy.  Besides,  Alfred's  tastes  had  rather 


VISIT  TO   THE   LODGING-HOUSE.  117 

changed  since  the  day  he  had  thrust  his  hand 
into  that  of  the  desolate  orphan. 

But  could  he  have  understood  the  influence 
the  widow  Holland  and  her  two  lovely,  amia- 
ble daughters  had  exerted  over  the  mind  of 
the  youth,  he  would  have  said,  "  Come ! " 

Only  the  next  evening,  and  while  our  hero 
was  debating  the  question  with  himself  how 
soon  it  would  do  to  intrude  upon  'his  benefac- 
tor, he  called  alone  at  Mrs.  Holland's  room  to 
tell  her  the  good  news. 

To  his  surprise  Edith,  as  soon  as  he  entered, 
arose  and  went  into  the  adjoining  apartment. 
Her  eyes  were"  swollen  with  weeping,  and  he 
could  see  the  traces  of  agitation  on  the  coun- 
tenances of  both  Louise  and  her  mother.  The 
widow  hastened  to  apologize  for  Edith's  abrupt 
departure,  by  saying,  "  We  have  to-day  seen 
a  notice  of  the  death  of  a  gentleman  —  a  rela- 
tive. We  were  entirely  unprepared  for  the 
event,  and  Edith  is  quite  overcome  by  it." 


118  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

Jack  briefly  expressed  his  sympathy,  and 
then,  went  on  to  tell  his  own  news,  noticing 
that  while  he  did  so  Mrs.  Holland  followed  her 
daughter  from  the  room. 

"  Wasn't  it  singular  ?  "  asked  Louise,  after 
an  anxious  glance  toward  the  door ;  "  mother 
went  to  the  store  for  a  piece  of  calico,  and 
when  she  canie  home  this  paper  was  wrapped 
around  it.  I  took  it  up  to  read,  and  threw  it 
down  again ;  but  Edith's  eye  fell  upon  this 
notice." 

She  pointed  to  a  paragraph  among  the 
deaths,  which  Jack  read  with  interest: 

"  Joseph  Sears,  of  this  city,  aged  sixty-one." 

"  He  was  my  uncle,"  added  the  girl,  speak- 
ing low,  "  and  once  the  partner  of  my  father." 

Jack  suddenly  remembered  the  words  he  had 

j^ff 
heard !  "  0,  Uncle  Sears !  how  can  you  treat 

us  so  ?  "  and  asked,  abruptly,  "  Was  he  a  good 
man  ?  " 

"  Hush !  "  she  said,  growing  pale,  "  It  is  not 


VISIT  TO   THE   LODGING-HOUSE.  119 

right  to  blame  the  dead  ;  beside,  he  may 
have  repented,  and  become  good  before  he 
died." 

"  But  this  paper  is  a  month  or  two  old,"  con- 
tinued Jack.  "  I  remember  reading  this  ar- 
ticle," pointing  one  to  her  notice,  "  a  long 
time  ago." 

"  Are  you  sure  of  it  ?  "  she  asked,  eagerly, 
stretching  out  her  hand  for  the  paper,  and  be- 
coming very  much  excited. 

The  top  was  torn  off,  and  so  they  had  not 
known  the  name  of  the  paper  ;  but  Jack  told 
her  it  was  the  Commercial  Advertiser ;  and, 
turning  to  the  last  corner,  his  statement  was 
confirmed. 

With  an  exclamation  of  distress  she  ran  to 
announce  this  fact  to  her  mother ;  and  then 
the  youth  heard  renewed  sobs.  He  took  his 
cap  from  the  table,  and  was  about  to  go  away, 
when  the  door  opened,  and  Edith  entered. 
Her  eyes  were  strained,  and  her  whole  appear- 


120  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

ance  wild,  as  she  hurriedly  asked,  "  Do  you 
say  Uncle  Sears  has  been  dead  so  long  ?  and 
Fred  has  not  been  to  comfort  us  !  " 

"  Edith,  dear  child,"  gasped  the  widow,  try- 
ing to  hold  her  daughter's  hand,  "  Jack  may 
be  mistaken ;  and  if  not,  there  are  a  thousand 
reasons  for  his  delay.  You  must  continue  to 
trust  him.  You  know  —  we  all  know  —  what 
a  noble  man  he  is,  and  how  incapable  of  be- 
traying our  confidence." 

"  But  a  whole  month,  mother  !  "  The  voice 
was  agony. 

"  Well,  my  dear  child,  a  month  is  not  too 
long  to  trust  him." 

"  But  it  will  break  my  heart,  mother  !  I  was 
so  sure  he  would  come  at  once.  I  had  begun 
already  to  expect  him.  But  a  month,  —  0 
Fred !  " 

"  Poor  Edith  !  "  murmured  Jack  to  himself, 
as,  having  silently  taken  his  leave,  he  went 
softly  down  the  stairs.  "  If  this  Fred,  whoever 


VISIT  TO   THE   LODGING-HOUSE.  121 

he  is,  has  played  her  false,  he  is  a  black-hearted 
villain." 

The  affection  Edith  had  so  long  and  effectual- 
ly concealed,  but  now  in  her  agony  made  known 
—  speculation  upon  the  circumstances  attend- 
ing her  uncle's  death,  and  wonder  whether  they 

• 

would  admit  him  more  fully  into  their  confi- 
dence, were  themes  for  thought  enough  for  one 
night ;  so  that  he  did  not,  as  usual,  lie  awake 
dreaming  about  the  future,  and  building  cas- 
tles in  the  air  for  himself.  His  dreams  of  suc- 
cess that  night  were  for  Edith.  He  even  forgot 
that  Mr.  Sennott  had  returned. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

JACK    AND    THE    ATTORNEY- 

"TT  was  several  days  before  Jack  sought  an 
-*-  interview  with  the  attorney ;  which  inter- 
view, nevertheless,  had  assumed  such  impor- 
tance in  his  eyes  that  he  was  exceedingly 
nervous  as  he  mounted  the  stairs  to  Mr.  Sen- 
nott's  office. 

Though  his  daily  income  from  the  papers  was 
greater  than  it  had  ever  been,  he  was  no  less 
fully  resolved  to  leave  the  business,  and  do  any- 
thing, however  menial,  if  it  would  lead  on  to 
a  higher  station.  During  the  last  few  days  he 
had  recalled  to  mind  circumstances  in  the  life 

of  one  and  another  of  those  who   had   after- 

122 


JACK   AND   THE   ATTORNEY.  123 

wards  been  distinguished,  useful  men  ;  and  re- 
flected with  pleasure  that  many  of  them  had 
been  reduced  to  greater  distress  than  he  ever 
was,  but,  by  persevering  industry  and  energy, 
had  risen  to  a  high  rank  in  society.  He 
smiled,  sometimes,  when  he  thought  how 
closely  his  benefactor  was  connected  with  all 
these  visions  of  future  greatness. 

Mr.  Sennott  was  to  be  the  one  who  would 
set  up  the  ladder  upon  which  he,  Jack  Stetson, 
was  to  climb,  step  by  step.  Mr.  Sennott  was 
the  man  who,  in  after  years,  would  point  him 
out  to  his  fellow-citizens  and  say,  ".Here  is 
one  whom  I  first  knew  as  a  news-boy.  I  am 
proud  to  say  I  helped  shape  his  course,  and 
encouraged  him  to  set  his  standard  high.  Gen- 
tlemen, I  have  the  honor  to  introduce  to  you 
Hon.  John  Stetson,  your  Senator." 

At  such  times  Jack  would  draw  up  his  form 
to  its  full  height,  while  his  chest  expanded  and 
his  nostrils  dilated  with  the  pleasing  anticipa- 


124  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

tions.  "  I  know  I  have  powers,"  he  frequently 
exclaimed.  "  I  thank  God  for  them.  Some- 
times when  I  am  talking  with  Ned,  dear  fel- 
low as  he  is,  I  feel  convinced  I  have  capabili- 
ties to  rise  above  him.  Overjoyed  as  he  is 
with  his  present  success,  he  aspires  no  farther ; 
while  I  —  I  never  can  be  satisfied  till  I  have 
reached  the  highest  social  position." 

But  we  must  follow  our  hero  into  the  attor- 
ney's office,  where  he  found  the  clerk  examin- 
ing a  bundle  of  papers  tied  with  red  tape,  his 
pen  stuck  behind  his  ear,  and  his  brow  knit 
with  anxiety. 

"  Is  Mr.  Sennott  in  ?  "  the  lad  asked,  timidly. 

The  clerk,  without  raising  his  eyes  from  the 
papers,  said,  "  No."  But  just  as  the  news-boy 
was  turning  from  the  room,  he  added,  "  In  at 
nine." 

As  the  clock  on  a  neighboring  spire  showed 
that  it  was  within  a  few  minutes  of  that  time, 
Jack  concluded  to  wait  outside  the  door. 


JACK   AND   THE   ATTORNEY.  125 

His  heart  began  to  beat  very  fast.  He 
wished  that  the  clerk  would  go  away,  that  he 
could  unburden  his  troubles  to  his  early  friend. 
He  meant  to  tell  him  how  the  past  year  had 
been  spent,  and  what  hopes,  what  aspirations 
had  arisen  in  his  breast. 

The  morning  was  quite  cool ;  and  Jack,  as 
he  buttoned  closer  his  coat,  which  Mrs.  Holland 
had  recently  repaired  for  him,  wondered  that 
a  rich  gentleman  like  the  lawyer  did  not  have  a 
brighter  fire;  for,  being  naturally  neat  and  or- 
derly, he  had  noticed  that  the  ashes  and  cinders 
had  not  yet  been  removed,  and  therefore  that 
the  fire  in  the  open  grate  burned  biit  dimly. 

While  he  was  still  speculating  on  this  subject, 
a  boy  near  his  own  age  came  whistling  up  the 
stairs.  His  hair  was  long  and  tangled,  while 
a  little  cloth  cap,  soiled  and  faded  from  con- 
stant use,  was  set  jauntily  on  the  top  of  his 
head.  This  lad  stared  at  Jack  as  he  passed, 
and  then  went  carelessly  into  the  office. 


126  NEVER    GIVE   UP. 

Mr.  Sennott  almost  immediately  followed 
him.  He  gave  his  hand  kindly  to  the  lad,  who 
only  said,  "  I  was  waiting  for  you,  sir ; "  and 
then  they  entered  the  office  together. 

The  room  was  full  of  dust  from  the  ashes 
which  the  lad  was  shovelling  up  and  carelessly 
throwing  into  the  hod.  As  soon  as  he  could 
speak,  for  coughing, -the  gentleman  exclaimed, 
angrily,  "  Stop  that,  you  careless  fellow !  How 
is  it  that  you  are  taking  up  ashes  now,  when 
your  fire  ought  to  have  been  made  two  hours 
ago?" 

"  Can't  help  making  dirt,  there's  such  a  lot 
of  cinders,"  answered  the  boy,  in  anything  but 
a  respectful  tone  —  beginning  again  to  shovel 
them  up. 

"  You've  been  on  a  spree  again,"  muttered 
the  clerk,  dryly,  as  he  also  began  to  cough. 

The  lad  darted  an  -angry  glance  towards  the 
desk,  but  then  formed  his  lips  for  a  tune,  and 
•whistled  one  or  two  notes. 


JACK  AND   THE   ATTORNEY.  127 

"  How  dare  you  ?  "  exclaimed  the  lawyer, 
advancing  quickly  to  the  boy.  "  Leave  the 
office  at  once,  and  don't  let  me  see  your  face 
here  again." 

He  took  out  his  pocket-book,  paid  the  lad 
some  silver,  and  then  motioned  him  to  the  door. 

"  If  you  and  the  clerk  will  please  go  out,  I 
will  have  the  grate  cleared  and  swept  in  ten 
minutes,"  cried  Jack,  much  pleased  to  have  it 
in  his  power  to  do  his  benefactor  a  favor. 

"  I'm  on  my  way  to  consult  Tenny  about 
that  claim,"  said  the  clerk,  taking  his  hat  from 
a  hook. 

Mr.  Sennott  glanced  at  the  desk,  with  the 
pigeon-holes  stuck  full  of  papers,  involving 
estates  worth  thousands  of  dollars,  and  then  at 
Jack,  whose  earnest  eyes  calmly  met  his,  and 
without  hesitation  answered : 

"  Well,  Jack,  you  shall  have  it  your  own 
way.  I'll  step  down  to  the  office  while  you 
have  a  chance  to  brush  us  up  a  little.  That 


128  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

scamp  of  a  fellow  has  tried  my  patience  long 
enough." 

The  first  thing  Jack  did  was  to  take  from  a 
pile  of  old  papers  enough  to  open  and  spread 
over  the  desk,  table,  and  sofa,  then  he  went 
vigorously  to  work  at  the  cinders ;  and  in  a 
short  time,  by  dint  of  poking  and  blowing  and 
sticking  in  pieces  of  dry  kindling  he  found  in 
the  closet,  he  had  a  cheerful  fire. 

He  then  applied  the  broom  vigorously  to  the 
carpet,  which  appeared  as  if  it  had  not  been 
swept  for  months  ;  took  up  the  dirton  a  paper 
(he  could  not  find  the  dust-pan),  and  then 
stood  still  to  catch  his  breath  while  the  dust 
was  settling. 

Before  the  papers  were  removed,  Mr.  Sennott 
returned,  and  glanced  around  the  room  with  a 
smile. 

"  Ah  !  he  said,  "  you  have  been  making 
thorough  work  of  it,  I  see." 

"  I    should   like   to   make   your  fire   every 


JACK   AND   THE   ATTORNEY.  129 

morning,  sir,"  exclaimed  the  youth,  his  heart 
beating  so  he  could  hear  it.  "  I  should  have 
the  room  ready  for  you  at  seven,  instead  of 
nine." 

"  A  capital  arrangement  for  me,  Jack,  but 
how  could  you  sell  your  papers  ?  " 

"  I  am  determined  to  give  up  being  a  news- 
boy, sir.  I  want  to  be  getting  up  in  the 
world." 

The  gentleman  grew  more  interested.  "  But 
how  would  making  my  fire  advance  you  ?  Ex- 
plain that." 

Jack  colored,  and  hesitated.  How  could  he 
tell  the  gentleman  that  he  expected  him  to 
point  out  the  path  to  future  greatness  ? 

"  I  am  willing  to  do  anything  honest  for  a 
living,"  at  length  he  went  on  ;  "  but  I  must 
have  something  to  look  forward  to.  I  am  tired 
of  being  nothing  but  a  news-boy ;  beside,  Mr. 
Rogers  says  I  am  capable  of  keeping  accounts, 

or  of—  " 

9 


130  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

"  What  should  you  like  to  be,  if  you  could 
have  your  choice  ?  " 

"  An  honest  politician,"  frankly  answered 
the  boy,  remembering  how  well  the  name, 
'  Hon.  John  Stetson,'  had  suited  his  fancy. 

The  lawyer  laughed  heartily,  as  he  ex- 
claimed, "  That  would  certainly  be  a  new 
thing  on  the  face  of  the  earth." 

"  But,  Mr.  Sennott,  isn't  it  possible  for  a 
man  to  be  a  good  Christian  and  at  the  same 
time  to  love  and  serve  his  country  ?  " 

Instead  of  answering,  the  gentleman  sat  and 
thought  while  the  youth  carefully  removed  the 
papers,  and  shook  them  in  the  entry  ;  then, 
finding  a  piece  of  cloth  in  the  closet,  proceeded 
to  wipe  the  dust  which  had  settled  on  the 
furniture.  He  did  his  work  thoroughly,  as  if 
his  whole  heart  was  in  it ;  and  yet  the  gentle- 
man saw  the  color  come  and  go  on  his  cheek. 

"  He  that  is  faithful  in  that  which  is  least,  is 
faithful  also  is  much3"  was  the  passage  which 


JACK   AND   THE   ATTORNEY.  131 

flashed  upon  his  mind,  as  he  compared  this 
youth  with  the  one  who  had  just  been  dis- 
charged. Then  his  thoughts  went  back  to  the 
death  scene  of  the  mother  —  how  entirely  she 
had  trusted  her  beloved  son  to  the  protecting 
care  of  her  God  ;  and  he  asked  himself,  "  Have 
I  not  a  duty  toward  this  lad,  whom  Providence 
has  so  repeatedly  thrown  in  my  way  ?  "  He 
started  to  see  Jack's  eyes  fixed  earnestly  upon 
him. 

"  I  have  been  wanting  to  talk  with  you,  sir," 
the  youth  began.  "  I  have  waited  a  year  for 
your  advice." 

Mr.  Sennott  looked  at  his  watch,  and  said, 
"  Caswell  will  be  away  an  hour ; "  and  then 
motioned  Jack  to  a  seat. 

I  need  not  repeat  what  the  youth  told  his 
benefactor.  It  is  sufficient  to  say  that  when 
the  clerk  returned,  the  lawyer  had  become 
deeply  interested  in  his  protege,  and  felt 
confident  that  the  ardent  aspirations  to  which 


132  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

he  had  listened  were  not  destined  to  be  dis- 
appointed. 

Not  even  to  Ned,  whom  he  felt  could  not 
appreciate  it,  had  Jack  ever  laid  open  his 
heart  with  all  its  high  aims,  as  he  now  had  to 
this  Christian  attorney ;  and  he  felt  convinced 
he  had  not  spoken  in  vain. 

"  This  is  an  age  of  improvement,"  said  the 
clerk,  in  his  dry,  hard  voice,  after  running  his 
finger  along  the  edge  of  the  desk. 

"  I  think  none  of  your  papers  are  disturbed, 
sir,"  suggested  Jack.  "  I  covered  them  care- 
fully before  I  swept." 

"  Oh ! "  was  the  answer,  with  a  comical 
smile. 

The  lad  glanced  at  Mr.  Sennott,  who  stood 
near  the  window,  and  then  $>ut  on  his  outer 
coat.  "  I  will  be  here  to-morrow  morning  to 
make  the  fire,  sir,"  he  said ;  "  but  where  shall 
I  find  the  key  ?  " 

"At  my  house.  Do  you  know  where  that  is  ?  " 


JACK    AND    THE    ATTORNEY.  133 

"  Oh,  yes,  sir.     Is  there  a  dust-pan,  sir  ?  " 
"  I  don't  know  ;  but  we  will  have  all  things 
in  order  in  a  day  or  two.     Don't  fail  to  come 
here   to-morrow  at  twelve.     I  shall  want  to 
talk  with  you  then." 

Our  hero  ran  down  stairs,  and  some  distance 
on  the  street,  before  he  knew  where  he  was 
going.  It  was  now  half-past  ten,  and  he  had 
not  once  thought  of  his  school.  Study  seemed 
quite  distasteful  to  him.  He  wanted  to  think, 
to  dream.  But,  after  standing  a  moment  hes- 
itating whether  to  take  his  place  in  his  class  or 
stroll  down  to  the  Lodging-House,  he  decided 
upon  the  former,  and  resolutely  bent  his  steps 
to  the  school-room. 


CHAPTER  X. 

JACK   A    CLEEK. 

next  morning,  just  as  the  clock  struck 
-*-  seven,  Mr.  Caswell  entered  the  office. 
The  fire  burned  and  crackled  in  the  grate  ; 
everything  about  the  room  was  neat  and  in  its 
place.  Jack  was  folding  the  last  newspaper, 
which  he  returned  to  the  pile,  and  then,  merely 
bowing,  he  took  his  cap  and  ran  to  distribute 
his  papers.  He  found  a  group  of  boys  impa- 
tiently waiting  for  him,  and  soon  sent  them  to 
their  daily  tasks.  Then  he  hastened  down  the 
street  to  take  a  peep  at  Edward,  whom  he  had 
not  seen  for  two  days. 

Twelve  o'clock  found  him  dismissed  from 

134 


JACK   A    CLERK.  135 

school,  and  once  more  at  Mr.  Sennott's  office, 
where,  to  his  delight,  he  found  the  gentleman 
alone. 

"  I  have  not  forgotten  you,"  was  the  law- 
yer's answer  to  his  eager,  inquiring  glance. 
"  I  have  been  to  see  Mr.  Rogers,  as  perhaps  he 
told  you  ;  and  he  approves  of  a  proposal  I  am 
about  to  make  you." 

The  youth  gazed  at  the  lawyer,  his  whole 
soul  in  his  eyes.  He  tried  to  speak,  but  the 
words  choked  him.  He  realized  that  this  was 
perhaps  the  crisis  in  his  life. 

"  Mr.  Rogers  is  a  firm  friend  of  yours,"  the 
gentleman  went  on.  "  He  says  you  will  suc- 
ceed, because  you  are  determined  to  succeed ; 
and  though  what  I  have  to  offer  you  will  not 
be  much  in  advance  of  your  present  position, 
yet  it  may  open  the  way  for  greater  good.  But 
first  let  me  see  how  well  you  can  write."  He 
drew  a  sheet  of  paper  forward,  and,  pointing 
to  the  pen  and  ink,  said,  "  Copy  that." 


136  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

A  few  lines  were  written  in  a  miserable, 
almost  illegible  hand,  at  the  top  of  a  sheet. 
Jack  thought  it  was  the  commencement  of  a 
deed ;  but,  whatever  it  was,  he  set  himself 
resolutely  to  work  to  copy  it. 

"  Capital !  "  exclaimed  the  gentleman,  pres- 
ently, taking  the  paper.  "  I  wish  I  could 
write  as  legibly.  Now  I  wish  to  say  that  Mr. 
Caswell  is  obliged  to  go  away  to-morrow,  on 
business  which  will  detain  him  a  fortnight  — 
perhaps  longer.  You  may  come  here,  take 
care  of  the  office,  copy  letters,  or  do  anything 
else  of  the  kind  which  may  come-up,  for  which 
I  will  pay  you  a  small  sum,  —  filling  up  your 
time  with  your  studies  as  heretofore.  By  the 
way,  have  you  ever  begun  Latin  ?  " 

"  I  can  read  a  little,  sir." 

"  That  is  fortunate.  How  should  you  like 
to  go  to  college  ?  " 

Jack's   countenance   fairly   shone.      "  If  I 


JACK   A    CLERK.  137 

thought  it  was  possible,"  he  said,  "  I  would 
work  night  and  day." 

The  gentleman  nodded  his  head  approvingly. 
"  No  doubt,"  he  replied,  "  if  you  improve  your 
time  you  will  succeed  admirably.  The  first 
thing  to  be  considered  is  a  boarding-place." 

"  I  know  of  one,"  suggested  Jack,  "  where 
Edward  Norris  boards." 

"  You  may  go  this  afternoon  and  secure  a 
place  there.  I  suppose  you  will  wish  to  notify 
your  old  employers  that  you  intend  to  leave 
them ;  or  supply  your  place  by  another.  One 
question  before  you  go.  Is  that  your  best 
suit?  " 

"No,  sir  ;  I  have  one  which  I  wear  on 
Sunday." 

The  gentleman  opened  his  pocket-book  and 
took  out  several  bills.  "  You  can  buy  another 
suit,  then.  I  shall  wish  my  second  clerk  to  be 
dressed  like  a  gentleman." 

Poor  Jack  blushed  crimson.     "  I  can  put  on 


138  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

my  best  clothes,"  he  stammered.  "  I  should 
prefer  to  wait,  sir,  until  I  have  earned  them." 

"  Pshaw !  "  muttered  Mr.  Sennott,  replacing 
the  money.  Nevertheless,  he  liked  the  lad's 
spirit. 

Edward  Norris  was  overjoyed  that  at  last 
Jack's  genius  had  been  appreciated.  "  I  always 
knew  it  would  be  so,"  he  repeated  again  and 
again.  "  I  shouldn't  be  at  all  surprised  if  you 
came  to  be  editor  of  a  paper."  This  was  to 
Edward  the  height  of  ambition. 

From  the  printing-office  Jack  went  to  the 
boarding-place  ;  but  was  sadly  disappointed  to 
find  the  house  completely  filled.  He  expressed 
so  much  regret  at  not  being  with  his  friend,  that 
the  landlady  at  length  told  him  she  could  give 
him  his  meals,  if  he  would  find  a  bed  at  the 
Lodging-House.  He  was  just  about  to  accept 
this  proposition,  when  he  recollected  he  was 
not  now  his  own  master,  and  that  he  ought  to 
consult  the  lawyer.  He  engaged  the  place, 


JACK    A    CLERK.  139 

therefore,  and  agreed  upon  the  price  condi- 
tionally, promising  to  come  the  next  day  to 
dinner  if  possible. 

He  had  not  seen  Mrs.  Holland  for  several 
days,  being  told  by  Louise  when  he  went  to  the 
door  that  poor,  dear  Edith  was  sick.  He  re- 
solved now  to  go  and  inquire  for  her.  Seeing 
some  fine-looking  apples  in  the  market,  he 
bought  a  few,  put  them  in  a  paper  bag,  and 
walked  rapidly  toward  the  house.  He  sin- 
cerely hoped  Edith  would  be  better,  both  for 
her  own  sake  and  for  his.  He  felt  it  to  be 
absolutely  necessary  for  him  to  have  some 
one  to  whom  he  could  impart  his  joy. 

He  put  out  his  hand  to  knock  at  the  familiar 
door,  when  he  was  startled  to  hear  a  manly 
voice  in  earnest  conversation.  He  hesitated  a 
moment  whether  to  go  in,  and  then  gave  a 
timid  knock. 

Louise  came  quickly,  and  in  a  voice  half  way 


140  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

between  a  laugh  and  a  cry  exclaimed,  "  O 
Jack !  come  in,  —  we  are  all  so  happy  !  " 

The  youth  did  not  doubt  it  when  he  entered. 
Edith  was  sitting  on  her  stool,  indeed ;  but  a 
gentleman  was  close  by  her  side,  his  eyes 
resting  fondly  on  hers,  while  her  whole  coun- 
tenance fairly  beamed  with 'joy. 

The  widow  stood  before  them,  her  hand 
raised  in  earnest  reply  to  what  he,  the  gentle- 
man, had  said.  She  smilingly  welcomed  their 
old  friend,  and  Edith  cordially  extended  her 
hand.  "  This  is  our  good,  kind  Jack,"  she  said, 
"  who  has  helped  us  through  so  many  troubles. 
And  this,"  she  added,  turning  to  the  lad,  "  is 
Mr.  Sears." 

"  No,  it's  cousin  Fred,"  cried  Louise,  laugh- 
ing in  an  excited  manner.  "  Jack  knows  who 
cousin  Fred  is." 

The  youth  bowed,  wondering  whether  Mr. 
Sears  knew  he  had  been  a  news-boy. 

"  Come  this  way,"    added   the  young   girl, 


JACK   A   CLERK.  141 

"  and  I'll  tell  you  all  about  it.  It's  the  fun- 
niest thing  you  ever  knew." 

Theji  sat  together  at  the  farther  end  of  the 
room,  while  she  narrated  the  few  facts  she  had 
heard  from  her  cousin. 

Mr.  Joseph  Sears,  her  uncle,  had  died,  as 
Jack  had  said,  two  months  before.  His  son 
was  travelling  in  a  distant  state,  and,  not  re- 
ceiving] the  intelligence,  did  not  reach  home 
until  a  fornight  previous  to  this  time.  He 
found  important  letters  from  his  father,  both 
to  him  and  to  the  wife  of  his  former  partner. 
They  did  not  yet  know  the  contents.  Fred- 
erick immediately  began  a  search  for  his  rela- 
tives. One  whole  week  he  had  passed  in  Bal- 
timore, where  he  learned  they  had  once  been 
seen.  At  last  he  returned  to  New  York,  de- 
termined to  advertise.  He  went  to  the  office 
of  the  Commercial  Advertiser ;  and  it  so  hap- 
pened that  Edward  Norris  heard  the  name  of 
Holland,  and  learned  that  the  gentleman  was 


142  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

in  search  of  his  relatives.  He  approached  the 
desk  where  Mr.  Sears  was  talking  with  the 
gentleman,  and  said  he  knew  a  Mrs.  Holland 
who  had  two  daughters. 

"  Named  Edith  and  Louise  ?  "  was  the  quick 
interrogation. 

"Yes." 

"  Tell  me  where  they  live,  and  it  shall  be 
money  in  your  pocket,"  exclaimed  the  gentle- 
man. 

The  direction  was  quickly  given,  and  in  a 
few  minutes  Fred  knocked  at  his  aunt's  door, 
and  had  his  own  betrothed  bride  in  his  arms 
once  more. 

Jack's  eager  countenance  showed  that  he 
sympathized  in  her  joy. 

"  He  says  we  have  done  with  slop-work  for- 
ever," gayly  added  the  young  girl.  "  He  wants 
to  be  married  immediately,  and  then  mother 
and  I  shall  live  with  them  in  Uncle  Scare's 
house.  I  don't  know  how  they  will  manage 


JACK   A    CLERK.  143 

it.     But  just  look  at  Edith,  —  isn't  she  hap- 

PJ?" 

"  I  never  saw  her  look  so  handsome,"  mur- 
mured Jack,  softly. 

"  I  have  something  I  must  tell  you  before  I 
go,"  he  added.  "  I  know  you  will  be  glad, 
though  you  have  so  much  that  is  pleasant  to 
think  of." 

"  Yes,  indeed  ;  we  shall  always  love  you 
Jack.  Edith  told  Fred  what  a  good  friend  you 
have  always  been  ;  and  you  know  if  you  had 
not  brought  Ned  here,  Fred  might  never  have 
found  us.  So  we  owe  all  our  good  fortune  to 
you." 

"  Under  God,"  added  the  widow,  solemnly. 

"  I  have  given  up  my  old  business  of  selling 
papers,"  Jack  went  on,  rather  proudly.  "  I 
am  clerk  in  Mr.  Sennott's  office  ;  and  I'm  going 
to  college  ;  and  I  intend  to  be  somebody  some 
time." 

Louise  bounded  up  from  her  seat.    "  Good  ! 


144  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

good !  "  she  exclaimed.  "  This  is  a  happy 
day  indeed.  I  must  tell  you,  Edith,  Jack's 
going  to  college.  Jack's  getting  up  in  the 
world ;  and  so  am  I.  Oh,  I  shall  be  glad  if 
I'm  not  crazy  with  all  this  joy  !  " 

Both  Mrs.  Holland  and  Edith  heartily  re- 
sponded to  this  welcome  intelligence,  and  Mr. 
Sears  grasped  Jack's  hand  in  a  manner  that 
said  a  great  deal. 

On  leaving  his  friends,  Jack  was  making  his 
way  toward  the  Lodging-House,  when  he  en- 
countered Mr.  Sennott  and  his  son  Alfred. 
The  latter  had  grown  so  much  that  he  did  not 
at  first  recognize  him ;  and  indeed  when  he  did, 
he  thought  him  not  improved  by  his  travels. 
The  youth  was  dressed  in  Parisian  style,  and 
had  a  tiny  cane  in  his  hand,  with  which  he 
continually  whipped  the  air.  He  spoke  to 
Jack  in  an  off-hand  way,  as  if  it  was  rather  a 
condescension  to  notice  him. 

His  father,  however,  made  up  for  his  want 


JACK   A    CLERK.  145 

of  cordiality.  He  asked  Jack  whether  he  had 
been  successful  in  finding  a  boarding-place, 
and  thus  the  lad  had  an  opportunity  to  learn 
his  wishes  concerning  the  Lodging-House. 

"  Certainly,  there    is  no  objection  to   your 
remaining  there  for  a  short  period,"  he  said, 
after  a  moment's  thought ;  "  but  you  ought  to 
have  a  good  home." 
10 


CHAPTER  XL 

LETTEBS   PKOM   JACK'S   FRIEKDS. 

AFTER  he  left  Mr.  Sennott,  Jack  made  his 
way  toward  the  Lodging-House,  deter- 
mined as  soon  as  he  had  eaten  supper  to  make 
a  call  on  Ned,  whom  he  missed  exceedingly 
now  that  he  needed  some  one  to  whom  he 
could  confide  his  plans  for  the  future.  He 
walked  slowly  on,  building  airy  castles  of  suc- 
cess :  fame,  honor,  riches  seemed  almost  within 
his  grasp.  He  would  work  hard,  and  render 
himself  so  indispensable  to  his  employer  that 
he  would  not  be  willing  to  part  with  him  for  a 
long  time. 

The  boys  were   in  the  hall  eating  supper 

146 


LETTERS   FROM  JACK'S    FRIENDS.  147 

when  he  entered  ;  and  before  they  rose,  the 
Superintendent  announced  that  he  had  some 
letters  from  his  boys  at  the  West,  which  he 
would  read  to  them  after  their  hour  for  recre- 
ation. 

This  was  always  a  pleasant  occasion,  eagerly 
anticipated  by  the  lads ;  and  during  their 
games  they  continually  reverted  to  the  ex- 
pected treat. 

"  I  wonder  whether  we  shall  hear  from  Jim 
Bunting  ?  "  said  one. 

"  Or  Patrick  McMullen  ?  "  said  another. 
"His'll  be  the  funny  letter,  I'll  be  bound." 

"  Boys,"  commenced  Mr.  Rogers,  "  the  first 
letter  I  shall  read  you  is  from  our  old  friend 

Sammy  J .  Many  of  you  know  him  well. 

He  says : 

" '  MY  DEAR  TEACHER,  AND  FELLOW  PUPILS  : 
I  think  by  this  time  you  will  be  pleased  to 
hear  again  from  me  ;  and  so  I  take  my  pen  to 
write  you  an  account  of  myself  and  my  new 


148  NEVER   GIVE  UP. 

home.  -  I  wish  instead  of  writing  I  could 
mount  the  stool  little  Paddy  used  to  stand  on 
and  talk  to  you.  I  guess  I  could  make  you 
laugh  at  some  of  my  funny  adventures.  When 
I  first  came  out  here,  I  had  never  seen  a  cow 
milked  .in  my  life  ;  but  I  was  ashamed  to  say 
so,  and  they  all  took  it  for  granted  that  I  was 

first-rate  at  the  business.    I  followed  Mr.  L 

to  the  barnyard  the  first  night  after  I  arrived, 
and  watched  with  all  my  eyes.  "  That's  easy 
enough,"  I  said  to  myself.  "  I  can  squeeze 
milk  out  that  way  on  the  run." 

" '  The  next  morning  I  got  up  early,  and, 
taking  a  mug  from  the  kitchen  closet,  thought 
I  would  try  .my  luck  before  anybody  was 
awake.  Now  it's  very  important  to  go  up  be- 
hind a  cow  011  the  right-hand  side  when  you 
are  going  to  milk ;  but  I  didn't  know  this 
then,  and  it  happened  that  I  went  up  on  the 
left  side.  I  hung  the  handle  011  two  fingers, 
and  had  already  got  it  half  full,  when  the  cow 


LETTERS   FROM   JACK'S    FRIENDS.  149 

gave  a  sudden  kick  at  the  mug,  and  to  my 
astonishment  left  nothing  of  it  but  the  handle 
in  my  hand  for  me  to  look  at. 

"  '  I  was  very  angry,  and  drew  back  my  foot 
to  give  the  ill-natured  creature  a  kick,  when  I 

heard  Mr.  L 's  voice,  ha-haing  with  all  his 

might.  He  had  seen  the  whole  from  the  barn 
window  ;  and  I  had  to  confess  to  him  tha( 
milking  was  new  business  to  me. 

" '  The  next  day  Mr.  L heard  me  singv 

ing  ;  and  he  told  me  mooly  would  like  to  hear 
me  sing  while  I  was  milking,  and  that  if  I  did 
she  would  soon  let  me  milk  her  as  well  as  she 
did  him. 

"  '  I  am  going  to  learn  to  plough,  and  I 

expect  to  be  a  great  farmer.  Mrs.  L and 

her  daughters  are  very  kind  to  me.  They  say 
that  they  love  me  like  a  child.  They  like 
to  hear  me  tell  about  the  Lodging-House,  and 
sometimes  I  make  a  speech  to  them  as  I  used 
to  there. 


150  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

"  '  Though  I  am  so  pleasantly  situated,  I  do 
not  forget  your  kindness,  nor  my  promise  to 
the  boys  to  look  out  a  place  for  them.  I  wish 
every  poor  city  boy  could  come  out  here,  where 
there  is  enough  to  do,  and  good  pay,  and 
where  everybody  treats  you  as  if  he  expected 
you  wanted  to  be  honest,  and  make  a  man  of 
yourself;  and  no  police  stealing  on  your  tracks 
to  take  you  to  the  watch-house,  or  rich  folks 
pulling  their  clothes  closer  about  them  as  you 
pass,  for  fear  they  would  be  soiled  by  the 
friendless  news-boys. 

"  '  Mrs.  L and  all  my  friends  here  think 

the  Lodging-House  is  a  great  institution  ;  and 
they  say  I  ought  to  bless  God  that  I  ever 
found  the  way  there. 

"  '  I  believe  I  have  told  you  all  the  news, 
and  as  my  hand  is  tired  I  must  now  close  my 
letter.  Yours,  very  affectionately, 

SAMMY  J .'" 


LETTERS  FROM  JACK'S  FRIENDS.     151 

The  voice  of  the  Superintendent  had  scarcely 
ceased  before  the  boys  cried  out : 

"  Hurrah  for  our  old  friend  Sammy !  " 

"  Long  life  to  him !  "  shouted  little  Paddy, 
in  his  excitement  turning  a  somerset  over  a 
stool.  "  Long  life  to  him  !  and  to  all  as  is 
kind  to  the  news-boys  !  " 

"  Here  is  a  letter,"  continued  Mr.  Rogers, 
"  from  a  gentleman  with  whom  Ernest  Cowles 
was  placed.  You  remember  dear  little  Er- 
nest ? " 

"  Oh  yes !  we  remember  him,  with  his  long 
hair." 

"  And  his  sunny  blue  eyes,"  added  the 
gentleman.  "  His  was  a  sad  case,  so  early 
left  an  orphan  ;  but  he  has  a  happy  home  now. 
The  gentleman  says : 

"  '  DEAR  SIR  :  —  My  wife  has  for  some  time 
been  urging  me  to  drop  you  a  line  concerning 
the  little  waif  you  left  with  us.  He  is  well, 
and  is  the  happiest  child  I  ever  saw.  We  have 


152  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

never  been  blessed  with  children,  but  I  feel 
for  this  desolate  little  boy  the  warm  affection 
of  a  father  ;  and  I  do  not  mean  he  shall  ever 
want  a  father's  care  as  long  as  God  spares  my 
life.  My  wife  feels  just  as  I  do ;  indeed,  1  can 
say  for  her,  that  she  never  looked  so  satisfied 
and  happy  as  since  she  has  had  a  pet  upon 
which  to  lavish  her  affections.  We  live  in  a 
retired  spot,  on  the  banks  of  a  beautiful  sheet 
of  water.  Ernest  runs  about  the  farm  from 
morning  till  night,  —  his  hands  and  apron  full 
of  flowers,  fresh  leaves,  or  weeds.  Everything 
is  a  wonder  and  delight  to  him.  When  I 
leave  home  the  thought  of  his  childish  joy 
warms  my  heart  ;  and  when  I  return.  I  am 
sure  to  see  his  smiling,  happy  face  watching 
at  the  gate  for  me,  and  hear  his  merry  voice 
shouting,  "  Mamma,  I'm  glad  my  papa  has 
come  home." 

"  '  So  you  see,  my  dear  sir,  you  can  set  your 
heart  at  rest  about  your  late  charge,  for  he 


LETTERS   FROM  JACK'S  FRIENDS.  153 

has  entwined  himself  closely  about  our  hearts. 
God  giving  us  wisdom  and  strength,  we  will 
train  him  up  to  be  an  ornament  to  society, 
and  a  jewel  in  his  Saviour's  crown. 

" '  We  should  be  glad  to  know  all  that  can 
be  ascertained  concerning  his  parents  ;  for 
though  we  wish  now  to  make  him  forget  that 
he  is  not  our  own  child,  the  knowledge  may 
be  a  comfort  to  him  at  some  future  time. 

"  '  With  many  wishes  for  your  prosperity  in 
the  glorious  work  which  you  have  undertaken, 
"  '  I  remain  your  obliged  friend, 

C.  JENKS.'  " 

Some  other  letters  were  read,  but  none  ex- 
cited the  interest  which  these  two  did.  The 
boys  could  do  nothing  for  some  time  but  talk 
about  them,  and  wonder  whether  they  should 
meet  with  such  kind  friends  when  the  time 
came  for  them  to  leave  the  Lodging-House. 

Mr.  Rogers  improved  the  opportunity  to 
urge  upon  them  the  importance  of  diligent 


154  NEVER    GIVE   UP. 

attention  to  their  studies,  to  their  business,  in 
whatever  they  were  engaged  ;  reminding  them 
of  the  remarks  of  their  friend  the  farmer  from 
the  West.  The  boy  who  is  most  industrious 
and  persevering  here,  is  the  boy  we  want  to 
build  up  our  western  country.  Later  in  the 
evening  Jack  sought  the  Superintendent,  and 
related  to  him  the  proposal  made  by  the 
attorney. 

Mr.  Rogers  was  quite  as  much  pleased  as 
Jack  had  expected  at  the  prospects  which 
opened  before  him.  During  the  evening  he 
gave  the  lad  much  good  advice  concerning  his 
conduct  in  his  new  situation. 

"  Remember,"  he  said,  "  you  have  now  an 
opportunity  to  make  a  character  for  yourself. 
If  you  sincerely  and  humbly  implore  God's 
blessing  on  your  endeavors  to  please  Mr. 
Sennott ;  if  you  strive  to  be  faithful  to  his 
interests,  botli  on  account  of  your  gratitude 
to  him,  and  because  your  Father  in  heaven 


LETTERS   FROM   JACK'S  FRIENDS.  155 

requires  it,  there  is  no  doubt  you  will  succeed. 
You  will  have  temptations  from  without,  and 
temptations  from  your  own  heart.  Be  hon- 
est with  yourself,  so  that  every  night  when 
you  lay  your  head  on  the  pillow  you  can  say, 
'  I  have  tried  to  do  my  duty.'  " 


CHAPTER  XII. 

JACK    AT    A   WEDDING. 

TTTHERE  do  you  go  to  church,  Jack  ? "  in- 

*  *  quired  Mr.  Sennott  a  few  days  later,  as 

he  sat  warming  himself  before  the  blazing  fire. 

"  To  Dr.  S 's,"  was  the  rather  proud 

reply.  I  have  attended  the  Sabbath  School 
there  for  many  years." 

"  And  does  Edward  Norris  go  too  ?  " 

"  Yes  sir,  and  the  Hollands." 

At  this  very  moment  the  door  was  thrown 
open,  and  the  pennypost  tossed  in  two  or  three 
letters. 

Jack  sprang   from   his   stool  to  pick  them 

up,  when  he  saw  one  was  addressed  to  "Mr. 

156 


JACK   AT   A   WEDDING.  157 

John  Stetson,  office  of  E.  0.  Sennott,  Esq." 
He  blushed  as  he  glanced  at  it,  for  this  was 
his  first  letter,  and  therefore  exceedingly 
welcome. 

He  tore  the  neat  envelope  rather  awkwardly, 
and  found  it  contained  an  invitation  to  a  wed- 
ding in  Dr.  S 's  church.  Accompanying 

the  invitation  was  a  beautifully  printed  card, 
on  which  were  the  names  of  Frederick  Sears 
and  Edith  Holland. 

Jack  carefully  replaced  the  whole  in  the 
envelope,  and  passed  it  to  Mr.  Sennott. 

"  What !  "  exclaimed  the  gentleman,  "  Sears 
and  Holland  ?  Why,  I  had  no  idea  your 
friends  were  connected  with  that  old  firm." 

The  young  clerk  repeated  what  little  he 
knew  of  their  history. 

"  The  same  —  the  very  same,"  responded  the 
lawyer.  "  I  remember  well  when  this  young 
man  left  his  home  because  he  disapproved  of 
his  father's  course ;  and  would  not,  as  his 


158  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

father  wished,  connect  himself  with  the  busi- 
ness." 

On  his  way  to  dinner  Jack  ran  into  the 
street  where  Mrs.  Holland  lived,  but  found 
she  and  her  daughters  had  removed  the  day 
following  the  return  of  Mr.  Sears.  He  was 
obliged,  therefore,  to  content  himself  with 
anticipations  of  seeing  them  at  the  wedding, 
which  was  on  the  following  day. 

He  found  Edward  also  had  received  a  card, 
and  was  greatly  excited  by  it. 

Though  fully  sympathizing  in  the  joy  of 
their  friends  at  their  returning  prosperity,  yet 
it  was  natural  that  these  youth  should  feel 
rather  sad  when  they  reflected  that  there  could 
be  no  more  social  evenings,  no  more  unity  of 
sentiment,  as  when  both  parties  were  strug- 
gling amid  poverty  and  want. 

The  next  morning,  when,  attired  in  their 
best  suits,  they  entered  the  church,. just  as  the 
bridal  procession  were  alighting  from  the  car- 


JACK   AT   A   WEDDING.  159 

riages,  they  realized  more  than  ever  how  wide 
was  the  difference  between  them,  —  two  poor 
unknown  youth  just  entering  on  the  stage  of 
active  life,  and  this  handsomely  dressed  party 
after  whom  all  the  crowd  were  so  eagerly 
gazing. 

Never  had  Edith  look  so  lovely.  A  brilliant 
spot  burned  in  the  centre  of  each  pale  cheek  ; 
her  lashes  veiled  the  lustrous  eyes  ;  and  their 
was  an  expression  of  calm  happiness  on  the 
pure  white  brow,  and  around  the  small  well- 
cut  lips  which  arrested  the  attention  of  the 
beholder. 

The  bridegroom  was  a  man  of  noble  pro- 
portions and  a  face  stamped  with  benevolence  ; 
while  his  manner  toward  the  lady  by  his  side 
proved  that  the  marriage  on  his  part,  at  least, 
was  one  of  the  truest  affection. 

Louise,  attired  like  her  sister  in  white  satin, 
leaning  on  the  arm  of  a  young  gentleman,  a 
stranger  to  both  the  boys,  followed  the  bridal 


NEVER    GIVE  UP. 

pair,  while  Mrs.  Holland  was  supported  to  the 
pew  by  an  elderly  gentleman,  with  white,  flow- 
ing hair. 

When  the  ceremony  was  concluded,  the 
young  men  saw  Louise  glance  quickly  around 
until  her  eyes  fell  upon  them,  when  she  spoke 
in  a  low  voice  to  her  sister,  who  also  looked 
around,  smiled,  and  bowed.  They  paused  in 
the  entry  to  see  the  wedded  pair  pass  to  the 
carriages,  when,  greatly  to  their  surprise,  both 
Mrs.  Holland  and  Louise  came  to  them. 

"  You  must  follow  immediately  to  Union 
Square,"  cried  the  young  girl.  "  Edith  is  go- 
ing to  Washington  directly,  and  she  made  me 
promise  to  invite  you  to  dinner." 

Before  they  had  time  to  reply,  she  had  taken 
her  place  in  the  carriage. 

They  were  ushered  into  a  handsome  parlor, 
with  heavy  old-fashioned  furniture  arranged 
round  the  walls,  where  the  bride  came  quickly 
forward  to  receive  them. 


JACK   AT   A   WEDDING.  161 

"  You  gave  us  a  dinner-party  once,"  she 
said,  smiling  and  looking  very  happy,  "  and 
now  we  shall  hope  to  see  you  often  at  our 
dinner-table." 

Notwithstanding  all  that  was  done  to  make 
them  feel  at  home,  Edward,  and  even  Jack 
sighed  when  they  thought  of  the  quiet  attic 
chamber,  and  were  relieved  when  the  hurry 
attending  the  departure  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sears 
gave  them  an  excuse  for  leaving. 

"  I  wonder,"  said  Edward,  as  they  were 
walking  together  toward  their  respective  pla- 
ces of  business,  "  how  Louise,  or  even  Edith 
can  so  soon  become  accustomed  to  their  change 
of  prospects.  It  is  scarcely  a  week  since  they 
were  living  in  one  attic  chamber ;  and  now  "  — 

"  They  are  heiresses  in  their  own  right," 
interrupted  Jack.  "  While  that  young  man 
was  talking  with  you,  Louise  told  me  all 
about  it. 

"  I  will  give  in  brief  the  history  she  related, 
1] 


162  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

Her  father  and  Mr.  Sears  were  half  brothers 
—  children  of  the  same  mother,  but  not  of 
the  same  father.      They  were  in  partnership 
together  when   Mr.  Holland  died.     That  was 
their  Uncle  Sears's  house,  where  Edith  used  to 
spend  more  than  half  her  time  with  her  aunt, 
who  was  sick.     When  Mr.  Holland  died,  Mr. 
Sears  made  out  that  the  firm  had  failed,  and 
there  was  but  a  few  hundred  dollars  left  for  the 
widow  of  his  partner.     As  he  had  possession 
of  all  the  papers,  it  was  difficult  to  prove  any- 
thing against  him.    Frederick  his  son,  who  was 
greatly  attached  to  his  cousin  Edith,  suspected 
something  was  not  right,  and  urged- his  father 
to   give   his   aunt   the    portion    destined    for 
himself.     Mr.  Sears  became  very  angry,  and 
threatened  to  disown  his  son  if  he  ever  said 
another  word  on  the  subject.     At  last  Fred- 
erick  felt   so   indignant   that    he    left   home 
suddenly,  sending  a  letter  to  Edith  that  when 
he  had  earned  a  home  for  her,  he  would  come 


JACK    AT    A    WEDDING.  163 

back  and  take  her  to  it.  He  had  written  re- 
peatedly, but  bad  never  been  able  to  gain  any 
intelligence  from  them. 

"  But  when  Mr.  Sears  was  attacked  with  his 
last  illness,  it  seems  he  sent  for  his  lawyer,  and 
directed  him  to  make  inquiries  about  Mrs. 
Holland.  Not  being  able  to  learn  anything 
about  her,  he  wrote  her  a  long  letter  enclosing 
notes,  deeds,  and  mortgages  amounting  to  a 
handsome  fortune.  He  wrote  also  to  his  son 
confessing  the  fraud  he  had  practised,  and  im- 
ploring him  to  search  for  his  relatives,  and 
restore  them  their  part  of  the  property.  The 
reader  is  already  acquainted  with  the  means 
by  which  Mr.  Frederick  Sears  ascertained  their 
situation.  The  very  next  day  he  persuaded 
Ins  aunt  to  remove  to  his  father's  house  —  he, 
in  the  mean  time,  taking  rooms  at  the  Astor; 
and  finally,  obtained  Edith's  consent  to  an 
immediate  marriage." 

"  Do  you  think  they  will  want   to  see  us 


1G4  NEVER   GIVE    UP. 

now  ?  "  asked   Edward,  when  his  companion 
had  finished. 

"  I  think  you  ought  not  to  ask  such  a  ques- 
tion," urged  Jack,  warmly.  "  They  are  too 
kind  and  good  to  forget  their  old  friends. 
Still,  we  must  remember  that  now  they  will 
move  in  a  different  sphere.  I,  for  one,  don't 
intend  to  intrude  upon  them  often." 

"  Nor  I,"  was  the  rather  sad  response. 

A  week  or  two  passed  after  these  events, 
and  Jack  still  continued  to  sleep  at  the  Lodg- 
ing-House.  Every  morning  he  experienced 
some  inconvenience  from  the  crowded  state  of 
the  long  closet,  which  ran  along  the  whole 
length  of  the  room,  and  he  determined  to  go 
earlier  to  the  office  that  he  might  have  time  to 
dispose  of  some  of  the  rubbish. 

His  conduct  during  these  few  weeks  had 
been  such  as  to  win  the  entire  confidence  of 
his  master,  who  secretly  congratulated  himself 
on  having  so  faithful  a  youth  in  his  employ. 


JACK    AT    A    WEDDING.  165 

Mr.  Caswell  had  now  returned,  and  though 
his  manner  was  cold  and  eccentric,  Jack  con- 
sidered him  a  friend.  The  clerk  was  present 
when  the  youth  asked  liberty  to  carry  away  a 
parcel  of  rubbish  which  had  accumulated  in 
the  closet,  and  in  his  dry  way  remarked : 

"  I  have  known  a  worse  place  used  for  a 
sleeping-room." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  "  inquired  Mr.  Seu- 
nott. 

"  My  remark  was  a  general  one,"  was  the 
only  reply. 

Jack,  however,  caught  the  idea  at  once. 
"  Yes,  sir,"  he  said  ;  "  if  you  are  willing,  I 
could  sleep  in  there." 

The  lawyer  walked  to  the  door  and  looked 
in.  "  We  will  see,"  he  said,  smiling,  "  how 
much  of  a  room  you  can  make  of  it." 

Two  days  later  Jack  triumphantly  exhibited 
the  place  he  had  cleared.  Old  junk,  half- 
worn  brooms,  a  missing  hod,  and  the  lost  dust- 


166  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

pan  had  been  removed,  together  with  two 
large  boxes  which  had  contained  books,  leav- 
ing a  clear  space  of  about  four  feet  wide  and 
eighteen  long. 

Mr.  Sennott  agreed  that  Jack  should  keep 
his  bed  there,  occupying  the  office  during  the 
night. 

The  case  which  had  called  Mr.  Caswell  to  a 
different  part  of  the  state  was  still  in  court, 
and  would  be  tried  at  the  approaching  term. 
Jack  had  copied  several  of  the  papers,  and 
knew  that  it  involved  a  large  and  valuable 
estate.  It  seemed  to  him  to  be  a  similar  case 
of  fraud  to  the  one  whereby  Mr.  Sears  had 
deprived  his  partner's  children  of  their  prop- 
erty, only  that  the  offence  was  in  this  instance 
committed  by  a  young  man. 

A  gentleman  by  the  name  of  Ransom  was 
appointed  guardian  of  the  property  of  two 
orphan  children.  He  died  suddenly,  and  his 
son,  a  man  of  dissipated  habits,  disputed  the 


JACK   AT   A    WEDDING.  167 

claim,  declaring  all  the  money  had  been  al- 
ready spent  for  their  benefit. 

For  a  long  time  the  lawyer  tried  in  vain  to 
obtain  some  clue  to  these  missing  documents  ; 
but  Jack  ascertained  that  Mr.  Caswell  had 
been  successful  in  obtaining  some  papers  im- 
portant to  the  case.  These  were  placed  care- 
fully in  the  small  pigeon-hole  at  the  right  of 
the  clerk's  desk. 


CHAPTER  Xin. 

EDWARD    A    PRINTER. 

TT  is  now  time  to  describe  more  partic- 
-•-  ularly  tlie  situation  of  Edward  Norris. 
Notwithstanding  his  want  of  proper  restraint 
and  instruction  in  his  early  boyhood,  he  had, 
as  we  have  seen,  kind  impulses,  and  many 
generous,  noble  traits.  After  his  sickness  in 
the  Lodging-House,  there  was  a  decided  change 
in  his  whole  character.  As  he  gained  the  con- 
fidence of  the  Superintendent,  and  compared 
his  present  conduct  with  that  of  the  other  boys, 
a  feeling  of  pride  began  to  arise  in  his  heart  at 
his  own  superiority. 

This  was  to  be  sure  so  slight  at  first  that  it 

168 


EDWARD   A   PRINTER.  169 

was  not  perceived  even  by  his  watchful  friend 
Mr.  Rogers.  But  before  he  left  for  his  new 
business  as  printer,  that  gentleman  had  a  long 
talk  with  him  concerning  his  future  welfare, 
and  closed  his  kind  advice  by  saying :  "  You 
know,  Edward,  I  feel  the  greatest  interest  in 
you  as  one  of  my  earliest  pupils,  and  that  I 
only  say  it  for  your  best  good  when  I  tell  you 
to  beware  of  self-confidence.  .The  city  is  full 
of  temptations  to  young  men.  Go  where  you 
may,  you  will  be  beset  with  them.  If  you 
depend  upon  your  own  strength  for  power  to 
resist,  you  will  certainly  fail ;  while  if  you  ask 
grace  of  your  Heavenly  Friend,  you  will  have 
it. 

"  I  have  watched  your  course,  my  dear  boy, 
and  have  been  fearful  when  I  perceived  that 
you  already  looked  down  upon  your  compan- 
ions as  beneath  you.  When  that  poor  fellow 
was  carried  off  by  the  police  yesterday,  I  read 
in  your  countenance  the  feeling,  '  I  despiso 


170  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

you.  I  thank  God  I  am  not  a  thief,  or  drunk- 
ard, or  even  as  this  outcast.'  ' 

"  I  did  despise  the  wicked  fellow,"  burst 
out  the  boy  in  an  impassioned  tone ;  "  but  I 
pitied  him  too  ;  and  I  thought,"  he  added,  his 
countenance  softening,  "  that  I  might  have 
been  in  his  place  if  it  had  not  been  for  your 
goodness." 

"  Say  rather  for  the  overruling  Hand  which 
led  you  to  the  Lodging-House,"  responded  the 
good  man,  deeply  moved.  "  That  is  the  right 
feeling,  Edward  ;  and  while  you  continue  to 
be  actuated  by  it,  you  will  be  shielded  from 
many  evils.  Only  one  word  more.  Watch 
your  own  heart.  Examine  yourself.  When 
you  can  retire  to  rest  satisfied  with  the  actions 
of  the  past  day,  all  is  well ;  but  when  con- 
science begins  loudly  to  remonstrate,  you  are 
certainly  in  danger." 

Edward  thanked  Mr.  Rogers  for  his  interest, 
and  obtained  permission  to  visit  the  Lodging- 


EDWARD    A    PRINTER.  171 

House  whenever  he  had  leisure ;  and  then  left, 
though  with  the  feeling  that  the  Superintend- 
ent had  rather  magnified  the  temptations  to 
which  he  would  be  exposed. 

'•'  I  know  too  well  the  little  comfort  there  is 
in  being  a  snob  or  a  snoozer,"  he  said  to  him- 
self, "  to  try  that  game  again.  I'm  looking 
forward  to  being  boss  in  our  concern." 

Several  weeks  passed,  and  still  the  young 
printer  could  look  the  Superintendent  frankly 
in  the  face  when  he  spent  an  evening  in  his 
old  home  ;  and  indeed  there  seemed  to  be  a 
marked  improvement  in  his  character.  He 
was  ambitious  to  excel  in  his  business,  and  so 
fully  won  the  confidence  of  his  employers  that 
they  congratulated  themselves  on  securing  his 
services. 

A  small  library  of  standard  books  was  con- 
nected with  the  office,  from  which  he  was  at 
liberty  to  select  for  his  own  reading,  and  then 


172  NEVER    GIVE   UP. 

the  evenings  at  Mrs.  Holland's  were  always 
opportunities  for  improvement. 

Jack  also  was  a  restraint  to  his  friend.  He 
always  had  such  firm  confidence  in  Ned's  prin- 
ciples, and  was  so  sure  he  would  try  to  do 
what  would  please  Mr.  Rogers,  that  the  latter 
felt  stronger  when  in  his  company. 

Connected  with  the  boarding-house  where 
they  both  took  their  meals,  was  a  youth  by  the 
name  of  Arnold.  This  young  man  was  affable 
and  winning  in  his  manners,  of  a  most  pleas- 
ing exterior,  and,  for  aught  that  was  known  to 
the  contrary,  of  firm  moral  principles. 

When  Edward  first  entered  the  boarding- 
house,  he  looked  up  to  Arnold  as  a  superior 
being,  and  was  greatly  flattered  when  the  lat- 
ter began  to  pay  him  marked  attention.  Some- 
times at  table  Arnold  would  address  his  con- 
versation to  the  new  comer  ;  and  then  again 
he  would  accompany  him  on  his  way  back  to 
the  office  — passing  his  arm  familiarly  through 


EDWARD    A    PRINTER.  173 

Edward's,  or  talking  in  a  patronizing  way  of 
his  interest  in  the  young  men  of  the  city. 

After  a  few  weeks,  our  news-boy  found  that 
his  companion  did  not  hesitate  occasionally  to 
mingle  oaths  with  his  conversation  ;  but  he 
did  it  in  such  an  off-hand,  matter-of-fact  way, 
as  if  such  language  was  common  among  gen- 
tleman, that  Edward  was  rather  pleased  than 
otherwise. 

Once,  indeed,  when  Arnold  was  unusually 
profane,  even  vulgar  in  his  talk,  his  compan- 
ion ventured  to  remonstrate ;  when  the  young 
man  burst  into  a  hearty  laugh,  and,  clapping 
Edward  on  the  shoulder,  exclaimed,  "  Come, 
now,  none  of  your  Methodist  cant  with  me. 
You're  too  good  a  fellow  to  talk  in  that  style. 
I'll  bet  a  new  hat  against  your  old  cap  that 
before  the  end  of  two  months  you'll  roll  off  the 

X 

oa'ths  equal  to  the  best  of  them." 

Edward  sighed  as  he  thought  of  Mr.  Rogers's 
instructions,  while  the  words  of  Scripture, 


174  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

"  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him  guiltless  that 
taketh  his  name  in  vain,"  flashed  across  his 
mind. 

That  night  he  found  himself  comparing  Ar- 
nold with  Jack,  much  to  the  favor  of  the  latter. 
His  new  friend  was  easy,  gay,  and  good  tem- 
pered, but  his  society  certainly  was  no  benefit. 
Edward  half  resolved  to  plead  an  excuse  for 
not  fulfilling  an  engagement  he  had  made  for 
a  stroll  round  the  city  the  next  evening. 

Arnold,  however,  would  not  let  him  off.  He 
had  an  object  to  accomplish  with  the  youth, 
and  he  was  too  persevering  to  relinquish  it. 

Edward  had  often  wondered  how  Arnold 
came  in  possession  of  so  much  money,  as  he 
was  in  no  regular  business.  When  questioned 
on  the  subject,  the  young  man  only  laughed, 
saying  he  had  property  in  the  bank.  But  now 
he  thought  he  had  the  news-boy  sufficiently  in 
his  power  to  render  it  safe  to  enlighten  him. 

As  they  strolled  arm  in  arm  through  the 


EDWARD    A    PRINTER.  175 

crowded  streets,  they  approached  a  large 
building  brilliantly  lighted. 

"  How  pleasant  it  looks  in  there,"  cried  Ar- 
nold. "  Let's  go  in  a  moment." 

Edward  could  remember  the  time  when  he 
had  hung  about  the  doors  of  this  very  place 
which  he  dared  not  enter.  The  first  feeling 
on  being  invited,  was  pride  that  his  situation 
allowed  him  to  do  so ;  but  this  was  instantly 
succeeded  by  the  thought  of  the  warnings  Mr. 
Rogers  had  uttered  against  gambling-saloons, 
and  he  hesitated. 

His  companion  read  his  feelings  at  a  glance, 
and  determined  to  give  him  no  time  to  demur. 

"  Come  along,"  he  urged,  drawing  him  for- 
ward ;  "what  harm  will  it  do  you  to  be  a  look- 
er-on. It's  good  fun,  I  assure  you." 

They  drew  near  the  bar,  where  a  showily- 
dressed  lady  passed  each  of  them  a  glass  of 
wine,  with  a  smile  and  familiar  nod  to  Arnold 
when  she  received  from  him  the  money. 


176  NEVER    GIVE   UP. 

Entering  an  immense  hall,  they  found  small 
faro-tables  scattered  in  all  directions,  while  a 
long  table  for  billiards  occupied  the  centre  of 
the  floor. 

Arnold  passed  all  these  till  he  came  to  a 
small  table  at  the  extreme  end  of  the  hall, 
where  four  young  men  sat  deeply  absorbed  in 
play.  He  stood  by  silently  watching  them  for 
a  time,  until  the  game  was  finished,  and  then 
one  of  them  invited  him  to  take  a  hand. 

At  first  he  made  a  show  of  refusing,  but 
his  objections  were  quickly  overruled,  and  he 
seated  himself  at  the  table,  where  Edward  soon 
perceived  he  was  quite  at  home.  No  invitation 
to  play  was  extended  to  the  stranger,  but  he 
found  occupation  enough  in  watching  others. 
At  the  close  of  the  evening  they  retired, 
Arnold  the  winner  of  thirty  dollars.  As  they 
passed  out  they  approached  the  bar  again, 
and  Arnold  paid  as  before  for  two  glasses  of 
wine. 


EDWARD   A   PRINTER.  177 

"  I  have  found  out  how  you  get  your  money," 
said  Edward,  laughing. 

"  Yes,"  said  the  other,  archly,  "  I  told  you 
I  had  property  in  the  bank." 

"  But  I  didn't  imagine  it  was  a  faro-bank. 
How  easy  it  seems  to  win  thirty  dollars!  I 
should  have  to  work  more  than  a  month  for 
that  sum." 

"  Oh,  to-night  I  did  not  attempt  anything. 
I  merely  amused  myself.  It  is  as  easy  to  make 
a  hundred,  when  I  give  my  mind  to  it." 

For  a  week  or  two  after  this  Edward  was 
quite  uneasy.  He  began  to  be  discontented 
with  his  situation,  complaining  that  he  never 
should  be  rich  as  long  as  he  plodded  on  in  a 
printing-office.  Day  after  day  as  he  saw  Ar- 
nold so  handsomely  dressed,  with  plenty  of 
money  at  command,  he  almost  determined  to 
renounce  business,  and  win  money  as  his  com- 
panion did. 

All  this  time  Edward  avoided  Jack,  who  was 
12 


178  NEVER    GIVE   UP. 

often  obliged  to  take  his  meals  at  a  later  hour, 
and  did  not  once  visit  the  Lodging-House. 
At  night,  after  repeated  visits  to  the  gambling- 
saloon,  followed  by  other  visits  lower  down  in 
the  paths  of  sin,  he  could  not  sleep.  Con- 
science, that  faithful  monitor,  was  continually 
sounding  in  his  ear  these  words,  "  Enter  not 
into  the  path  of  the  wicked,  and  go  not  in  the 
way  of  evil  men.  Avoid  it,  pass  not  by  it, 
turn  from  it  and  pass  away.  For  they  eat  the 
bread  of  wickedness,  and  drink  the  wine  of 
violence." 

One  month  passed  away,  and  Edward  grew 
pale  and  thin.  He  lost  his  appetite,  and  felt 
no  interest  in  his  business.  He  began  to  loathe 
the  society  of  Arnold,  but  had  not  strength  to 
break  away  from  him.  He  went  one  evening 
with  Jack  to  the  Hollands',  but  was  constantly 
in  fear  lest  they  should  question  him  concern- 
ing his  habits.  He  felt  sure  guilt  was  stamped 
on  his  countenance.  He  was  in  this  state  of 


EDWARD    A    PRINTER.  179 

mind,  too,  when  ho  received  an  invitation  to 
Edith's  wedding,  which  was  the  reason  he  en- 
joyed the  occasion  no  better.  He  dreaded 
being  alone  with  his  conscience,  and  he  dreaded 
'•so  the  company  of  those. whom  he  had  once 
loved.  Sometimes  he  resolved  to  go  to  Mr. 
Rogers,  confess  his  crimes,  and  ask  advice  as 
to  his  future  course,  but  pride  prevented.  He 
remembered  the  parting  counsel  of  the  good 
Superintendent,  and  shuddered  as  he  thought 
how  true  the  words  had  proved.  He  was  in- 
deed in  danger  of  ruin,  both  of  body  and  soul. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

EDWARD     IN    TROUBLE. 

/~\NE  evening  as  Edward  was  walking  with 
V-'  Arnold,  he  met  Jack  going  to  the  Lodging- 
House. 

"  Come  with  me,  Ned,"  said  his  old  friend, 
cordially.  "  Mr.  Rogers  wonders  where  you 
are  of  late  that  you  have  not  visited  him." 

"I  can't,  —  I'm  engaged,"  Edward  began, 
glancing  at  Arnold,  when  he  suddenly  stopped. 
The  good  spirit  was  whispering  to  him,  "  Go  ; 
it  may  be  your  salvation." 

Suddenly  snatching  his  arm  from  Arnold, 
he  caught  Jack's  hand,  saying,  "  Yes,  I  will ;  " 
and  without  giving  his  companion  time  to  re- 
monstrate, walked  quickly  away. 

180 


EDWARD    IN   TROUBLE.  181 

"  What  do  you  know  of  that  fellow  ?  " 
inquired  Jack,  when  they  had  gone  a  short 
distance.  "  I  never  exactly  liked  his  looks." 

Edward's  face  was  crimson.  There  was  a 
terrible  struggle  going  on  within  him.  "  Oh  ! 
if  I  could  only  be  as  I  was  before  I  knew  him," 
was  the  language  of  his  heart. 

"  Shake  him  off,  and  begin  anew,"  said 
conscience. 

"  But  what  will  he  and  my  new  companions 
think  of  me  ?  And  besides,  I  begin  to  fear  my 
own  strength." 

"  God  will  help  you,  if  you  only  repent," 
suggested  the  gracious  Spirit. 

His  companion  began  to  wonder  at  his  si- 
lence, and  drawing  Ned's  arm  within  his  own 
said,  tenderly, "  You  don't  look  as  happy  as  you 
used  to  when  we  were  at  the  Lodging-House." 

"  No,  I'm  miserable,"  burst  out  the  other ; 
"  and  it's  all  owing  to  that  wicked  fellow  I've 
loft.  I've  done  with  him  now.  I'm  deter- 


182  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

mined  on  that.  If  you'll  help  me,  I'll  quit 
my  boarding-place  to  be  rid  of  him." 

"  I  shouldn't  think  that  would  be  necessary ; 
but  if  you  will  tell  me  about  it,  I'll  advise  you 
as  well  as  I  can." 

"  Come  in  here,  then,  where  we  can  be  by 
ourselves." 

As  he  spoke  Edward  pulled  his  companion 
toward  the  door  of  a  brilliantly-lighted  build- 
ing, well  known  to  be  the  resort  of  young  men 
of  dissipated  habits.  It  was  professedly  a  read- 
ing-room ;  but  wine  was  always  furnished  in 
abundance,  and  later  in  the  evening  cards  were 
visible.  Here  Ned,  in  company  with  Arnold, 
had  taken  many  a  lesson  in  vice. 

"  Where  are  you  going  ?  "  inquired  Jack,  in 
surprise. 

Ned  smiled  bitterly,  as  he  said,  "  There  is  a 
room  at  the  farther  end  of  the  hall  where  we 
can  be  alone." 

Jack  took  one  step  forward,  and  then  stopped. 


EDWARD   IN   TROUBLE.  183 

"  No,  I  can't  go  in  there.  How  can  I  pray 
'  Lead  me  not  into  temptation,'  if  I  run  into 
the  very  face  of  danger  ?  " 

"  Where  shall  we  go,  then  ?  " 

"  To  our  good,  tried  friend  Mr.  Rogers.  If 
you  have  been  doing  wrong,  as  I  begin  to  think 
you  have  from  your  knowledge  of  such  places 
as  this,  there  is  no  one  will  advise  you  so  well 
as  he.  Come,  don't  let's  lose  a  minute." 

"  But,  Jack,  what  will  he,  —  how  can  I  ?  " 

"  Don't  stop  to  ask  questions  when  you  know 
what  is  right.  Mr.  Rogers  is  the  man  to  help 
you  out  of  your  difficulty.  Be  honest  with 
him.  Give  up  that  fellow,  and  your  heart 
will  be  lighter  at  oncq," 

Mr.  Rogers  was  not  in  when  they  entered ; 
but  fortunately  for  Edward,  whose  courage 
already  began  to  fail,  he  soon  came  in. 

Jack  walked  boldly  forward  and  greeted 
him,  while  Ned  hung  back,  coloring  violently, 
scarcely  daring  to  raise  his  eyes.  Here,  in  the 


184  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

presence  of  his  teacher,  here  where  he  had  so 
often  resolved  to  be  a  man,  a  good,  useful  man, 
his  conduct  for  the  past  months  secmod  more 
aggravated  in  guilt  than  ever  before. 

The  Superintendent  noticed  at  a  glance 
that  all  was  not  right  with  his  former  pupil ; 
but  he  held  out  his  hand  with  the  affection  of 
a  father. 

"  We  are  glad  to  see  you  once  more  among 
us,"  he  said,  smiling.  "  Come  in  and  see  Mrs. 
Rogers." 

"  I  want  to  talk  with  you,  sir,"  faltered  the 
poor  youth,  at  the  instant  resolving  to  make  a 
frank  confession  of  all  his  sins.  "  Have  you 
time  to  see  me  now  ? " 

Mr.  Rogers  cast  an  anxious  glance  around 
the  school-room.  "  I  must  try,"  he  remarked, 
"  if  the  case  is  urgent.  Come  down  with 
me  to  the  lodging-room.  We  shall  be  by 
ourselves  there." 

Ned  pulled  Jack  by  the  sleeve  to  induce  him 


EDWARD   IN   TROUBLE.  185 

to  follow ;  but  the  young  clerk  whispered, 
"  You'll  find  it  easier  to  tell  all  if  you're  alone 
with  him." 

It  is  not  necessary  to  repeat  the  conversa- 
tion which  took  place  between  this  good  man 
and  his  erring  pupil.  It  is  sufficient  to  say 
that,  once  having  commenced  his  tale  of  temp- 
tation and  crime,  he  did  not  stop  until  he  had 
laid  bare  his  heart  to  the  view  of  this  compas- 
sionate friend.  One  bright  thought  in  the 
midst  of  his  sorrow  alone  comforted  him. 
Arnold  had  repeatedly  tempted  him  to  rob  his 
employers  in  order  to  find  means  to  win  back 
what  he  had  lost  at  the  card-table ;  but  he  had 
resisted,  and  remained  faithful  to  their  inter- 
ests. He  thought  he  still  had  their  confidence, 
and  could  remain  in  their  office. 

Mr.  Rogers  looked  so  grave  and  thoughtful 
when  Edward  had  finished,  that  the  youth 
argued  that  he  considered  his  case  a  very  bad 


180  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

one ;  but  presently  he  looked  up,  with  an  en- 
couraging smile. 

"  I  was  thinking  of  this  Arnold,"  he  said, 
"  and  wondering  what  was  his  inducement  to 
lead  you  into  sin.  I  believe  I  know  him,  though 
by  another  name.  If  he  is  the  man  I  think  him, 
he  is  employed  by  the  gambling-houses  to  de- 
coy wealthy  young  men  to  their  ruin.  Easy 
in  his  manners,  of  a  handsome  person,  and 
affable  in  his  address,  he  is  exactly  calculated 
to  deceive  unwary  youth  ;  but  why  he  should 
spend  so  much  time  and  pains  with  you,  a 
printer's  clerk,  I  find  it  difficult  to  imagine." 

"  I  suppose  he  expected  I  should  get  money 
somehow,"  faltered  Edward,  coloring  violently 
as  he  called  to  mind  the  various  arts  used  to 
induce  him  to  take  bills  from  his  master's  cash- 
drawer. 

"  Well,  now  that  I  know  the  whole  case,  I 
hope  I  can  do  something  for  you,"  said  the 
good  man  kindly.  "  I  shall  want  to  think  of 


EDWARD   IN   TROUBLE.  187 

it  and  sleep  over  it ;  but  in  the  mean  time  1 
advise  you  to  have  nothing  more  to  do  with 
Arnold.  You  were  not  wanting  in  decision 
when  you  were  here.  Be  a  man,  and  say  '  No,' 
boldly  and  decidedly,  when  he  invites  you  to 
accompany  him.  Does  Jack  know  all  this  ?  " 

"  No,  sir,  nothing.  He  urged  me  to  come 
to  you." 

"  Ah,  Jack  is  a  fine  fellow !  and  what  is 
much  better,  he  is  a  Christian.  Come  to  me  to- 
morrow night,  and  I  will  talk  more  with  you." 

For  nearly  an  hour  the  two  youth  remained 
at  the  Lodging-House,  renewing  their  acquaint- 
ance with  their  old  friends,  and  listening  to 
some  of  their  speeches,  after  which  they  took 
leave  together. 

On  their  way  home  Ned  insisted  on  repeat- 
ing to  Jack  what  he  had  confessed  to  Mr. 
Rogers. 

I  scarcely  need  say  that  the  relation  caused 
much  grief  to  the  latter,  who  had  no  idea  his 


188  NEVEK   GIVE   UP. 

friend  had  wandered  so  far  from  the  paths  of 
rectitude.  He  gave  Edward  such  good  advice 
as  he  was  capable  of,  and  on  his  return  home 
took  occasion  to  thank  God  that  he  ha*d  been 
withheld  by  restraining  grace  from  the  com- 
mission of  similar  crimes. 

Ned  reached  home  much  earlier  than  had 
been  his  habit  of  late,  and  was  considerably  sur- 
prised on  entering  his  room  to  find  Arnold 
there. 

For  one  instant  the  young  man  seemed 
confused,  and  Edward  was  sure  he  heard  a  low- 
muttered  curse  on  account  of  his  early  arrival ; 
but  in  a  moment  the  other  advanced  with 
perfect  self-possession,  and  said,  "  I  have  a 
raging  head-ache,  and  thought  you  would 
pardon  the  liberty  I  have  taken  with  your 
room.  In  fact  I  was  just  going  to  lie  down  on 
your  bed,  my  room-mate  having  company  ;  so 
if  you'd  been  a  few  minutes  later  you  would 
have  found  me  sleeping  here." 


EDWARD   IN   TROUBLE.  189 

This  was  said  with  so  much  apparent  frank- 
ness that  Edward  could  make  no  objection  to 
the  statement ;  but  merely  saying,  "  My  head 
aches,  too,  and  I'm  going  to  bed,"  began  at 
once  to  undress. 

Arnold  started  to  leave  the  room,  but  then 
turned,  and  opening  his  coat,  asked,  "  How  do 
you  like  this  vest,  Norris  ?  " 

It  was  a  rich  black  satin  garment,  stamped 
with  small  sprigs  of  blue  flowers.  Edward 
held  the  lamp  towards  it,  and  then  answered, 
"  It  is  very  handsome." 

"  If  you  think  so,  I  wish  you  would  accept 
it,"  added  Arnold,  laughing  so  heartily  that  he 
showed  all  his  white  teeth.  "  I  bought  it  to- 
day fl%  seven-fifty ;  but  I  can't  endure  the  cut ; 
it  confines  my  arms." 

He  took  it  off,  and  threw  it  carelessly  on  the 
bed. 

Edward  was  exceedingly  fond  of  dressing 
well,  and  pride  at  once  suggested  that  the  vest 


190  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

would  be  particularly  becoming  to  him  ;  but 
just  as  Arnold  was  closing  the  door,  he  called 
him  back  to  say  : 

"  I'm  much  obliged  to  you,  but  I'd  rather 
not  have  it." 

"  Nonsense !  "  cried  the  other,  without  reen- 
tering  the  room.  "  What's  the  use  of  such 
squeamishness  among  friends.  I  shall  never 
wear  it  again  ;  and  as  I  cannot  return  it,  the 
favor  will  be  mine  if  you  will  make  use  of  it." 

Edward  made  no  more  objection.  In  truth 
he  was  secretly  pleased.  He  locked  his  door, 
tried  on  the  vest,  walked  back  and  forth  before 
the  glass,  admiring  himself  in  it,  and  then 
retired  to  bed.  His  heart  felt  lighter  than  it 
had  for  many  weeks  ;  and  with  a  determination 
to  follow  the  advice  of  Mr.  Rogers,  whatever 
it  might  be,  he  fell  quietly  asleep. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE    THEFT    DISCOVERED. 

A  T  breakfast  Edward  observed  that  Arnold, 
>*••*-  who  was  noted  for  his  punctuality  at  his 
meals,  was  not  present.  The  landlady  took 
this  occasion  of  his  absence  to  extol  her  boarder 
for  his  general  conduct,  and  particularly  for 
the  promptness  with  which  he  fulfilled  all  his 
pecuniary  liabilities.  She  glanced  at  Edward 
as  if  sure  he  would  respond  to  this  praise  of  his 
friend.  But  with  the  knowledge  he  possessed 
of  Arnold's  character,  he  could  say  nothing  in 
his  favor,  and  therefore  was  silent,  and  soon 
leaving  the  table  hastened  to  his  business. 

It  was  seldom  that  his  employers,  who  edited 

191 


192  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

the  paper,  were  at  the  office  at  so  early  an 
hour,  their  business  requiring  them  to  be  up 
until  late ;  but  on  entering  he  noticed  that 
both  the  gentlemen  were  present,  and  not  at 
their  desks.  They  were  standing  together, 
talking  earnestly. 

Throwing  off  his  coat  he  was  proceeding  to 
hang  it  on  the  hook  as  usual,  when  the  senior 
editor  said,  sternly : 

"  Norris,  have  you  ever  allowed  your  key  to 
the  office  to  go  out  of  your  possession  ?  " 

"  No,  sir,  never.  You  told  me  to  be  careful 
on  that  point  when  you  gave  it  to  me." 

"  Well,  sir,  then  we  must  hold  you  respon- 
sible for  several  hundred  dollars  that  are 
missing,  since  no  one  else  can  gain  admission 
to  the  office." 

Edward  stood  like  one  bewildered.  lie 
could  not  believe  he  had  heard  aright.  ITc 
looked  the  gentleman  full  in  the  face,  his  color 


THE   THEFT   DISCOVERED.  193 

rapidly  alternating  from  pale  to  red,  his  con- 
fusion strongly  resembling  guilt. . 

"  I  am  glad  you  do  not  try  to  deceive  us  by 
denying  it,"  remarked  the  other  gentleman, 
gravely.  "  We  trusted  you  fully,  Norris,  and 
are  grieved  that  we  have  been  disappointed  in 
you." 

"  What  did  you  say  I  had  done  ?  "  inquired 
Edward,  beginning  to  recover  himself. 

The  elder  gentleman  glanced  searchingly  in 
his  face,  and  then  answered : 

"  For  some  time  we  have  been  aware  that 
money  was  taken  from  the  cash-drawer  —  " 

"  But  you  didn't  believe  I  would  steal  from 
you,"  exclaimed  Edward,  indignantly.  "  I 
have  never  seen  the  inside  of  the  cash-drawer, 
except  when  you  paid  my  wages." 

"  You  interrupted  me,  sir.  I  was  going  to 
say  that  last  night  Mr.  Peirce  and  myself  left 
bills  here  [touching  the  drawer]  to  the  amount 

of  two  hundred  dollars,  after  having  marked 
13 


194  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

them,  so  as  to  be  readily  identified.  Now  as 
we  were  here  until  a  very  late  hour,  and  you 
alone  were  possessed  of  the  means  of  entering, 
we  are  reluctantly  brought  to  the  conclusion 
that  you  are  the  thief." 

"  You  have  no  right  to  conclude  so  ex- 
claimed Edward  indignantly.  Some  one  might 
have  broken  in  —  " 

He  stopped  suddenly.  A  confused  recollec- 
tion of  hearing  some  one  in  his  room  long 
after  midnight,  and  of  the  sound  of  a  key 
dropping  to  the  floor,  flashed  through  his  mind. 
Could  it  be  Arnold  who  had  stolen  the  money  ? 

"  I  see  you  hesitate,  Norris,"  was  the  sor- 
rowful retort. 

"  I  confess  I  hoped  better  of  you  ;  but,  as  it  is, 
I  may  as  well  tell  you  that  a  gentleman,  one 
too  who  takes  great  interest  in  you,  called 
yesterday  to  put  us  on  our  guard,  —  to  beg  us 
not  to  place  temptation  in  your  way.  It  is 
true,  as  he  says,  that  we  ought  to  have  remem- 


THE   THEFT   DISCOVERED.  195 

bered  that  your  reformation  bears  recent  date, 
and  that  we  ought  not  to  have  trusted  you  as 
we  have  done." 

At  this  point  Edward  sat  down  and  covered 
his  face  with  his  hands. 

"  This  is  the  work  of  Arnold,"  he  said  to 
himself.  "  He  has  done  it  to  ruin  me,  that  I 
need  not  be  believed  if  I  should  try  to  expose 
him.  Oh,  how  I  wish  Mr.  Rogers  were  here  !" 

"  Confess  and  return  the  money,  and  we 
will  allow  you  to  return  to  Mr.  Rogers,"  sug- 
gested Mr.  Pierce  kindly. 

"  I  have  never  taken  one  cent  of  your  money 
—  but  I  think  I  know  who  did,"  faltered  the 
youth,  without  removing  his  hands.  "  I  was 
just  wishing  Mr.  Rogers  were  here." 

"  Pshaw !  "  said  the  other  partner.  "  We 
shall  think  none  the  better  of  you  for  trying 
to  throw  the  blame  on  another." 

He  called  his  partner  aside,  and  after  a  few 
words  hastily  left  the  office. 


196  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

"  You  had  better  confess,"  urged  the  gen- 
tleman. "  Mr.  Wells  has  gone  to  procure  an 
officer  to  examine  your  room.  Unless  you 
are  worse  than  I  think  you  are,  he  will  find 
there  the  evidence  of  your  guilt,  and  you  will 
be  arrested  at  once.  I  don't  think  you  can 
have  disposed  of  it  so  soon." 

"  I  am  glad  they  have  gone  ;  I  would  have 
given  them  the  key  to  my  trunk,"  exclaimed 
the  poor  youth,  looking  more  hopeful  than  he 
had  yet  done.  "  I  am  sure  they  cannot  find  it, 
because  I  have  not  taken  it. 

"  Will  you  please,  sir,  tell  me  who  it  was 
that  warned  you  against  me." 

"  I  don't  know  his  name.  He  was  a  fine- 
looking  man.  He  is  a  good  friend  to  you, 
and  did  it  for  your  good." 

"  I  should  think  he  did ! "  and  the  youth 
laughed  bitterly  as  he  felt  more  sure  there  was 
a  plot  laid  to  ruin  his  character. 

"  If  you  will  send  to  Mr.  Rogers,  he  will  tell 


THE   THEFT   DISCOVERED.  197 

you  about  it,"  he  urged,  as  the  other  regarded 
him  with  wonder. 

"  We  will  wait  the  issue  of  the  examination," 
remarked  the  gentleman,  seriously. 

He  returned  to  his  desk  ;  but  as  Norris  oc- 
casionally glanced  toward  him,  he  saw  that  he 
was  unable  to  fasten  his  mind  to 'the  duties  of 
the  day. 

The  more  he  reflected  upon  Arnold's  con- 
duct, the  more  Edward  became  convinced  that 
he  was  the  man  who  had  brought  this  disgrace 
upon  him,  and  a  desire  for  revenge  burned  in 
his  breast.  He  determined  to  take  the  first 
opportunity  to  enlighten  his  landlady  as  to  the 
true  character  of  her  boarder,  but  immediately 
the  thought  arose,  "  Shall  I,  a  convicted  thief, 
be  believed?  Will  my  testimony  be  taken 
against  him  ?  " 

His  thoughts  grew  more  and  more  bitter. 
Though  confident  nothing  would  be  found  in 
his  room  which  could  be  a  witness  against  him ; 


198  NEVER    GIVE   UP. 

yet  he  was  sure  that  if  Arnold  had  resolved  to 
fix  upon  him  the  character  of  a  thief,  he  would 
find  some  means  to  do  so. 

In  the  mean  time  his  employer,  though  ap- 
parently engaged  in  writing,  was  watching  him 
closely.  His  readiness  to  have  his  room,  even 
his  trunk  examined,  certainly  did  not  look  like 
guilt.  Then  he  called  to  mind  the  remarkable 
sobriety  and  faithfulness  of  the  youth  ever 
since  he  had  been  in  their  employ.  He  had 
come  to  the  conclusion  that  they  had  been 
hasty  in  making  a  charge  on  the  suggestion 
of  a  stranger,  that  though  well  meaning  his 
principles  were  not  firm,  when,  at  the  end  of  an 
hour,  Mr.  Wells,  accompanied  by  a  police  offi- 
cer, came  hastily  up  the  stairs. 

"  I  hope  you  have  not  let  him  escape,"  he 
exclaimed,  addressing  his  partner  in  an  excited 
tone.  "  We  have  found  abundant  proofs  of 
his  villany.  Locked  in  his  trunk  was  a  paper 
containing  all  the  marked  money,  with  the  ex- 


THE   THEFT  DISCOVERED.  199 

ception  of  sixteen  dollars,  and  in  the  closet  my 
new  vest,  that  I  missed  last  week." 

Edward,  who  had  been  hidden  by  a  huge 
pile  of  paper,  groaned  aloud.  He  felt  giddy, 
and  thought  he  was  going  to  die  ;  but  the  offi- 
cer, who  had  seen  him  all  the  time,  and  who 
disliked  scenes,  put  an  end  to  this  by  dashing 
a  tumbler  of  cold  water  in  his  face. 

"  What  have  you  to  say  for  yourself  now  ?  " 
asked  Mr.  Wells,  in  a  scornful  tone,  holding 
the  vest  up  before  him. 

"  I  could  tell  you  how  I  came  by  it,  but 
you  would  not  believe  me,"  retorted  Edward, 
springing  to  his  feet.  "  I  know  how  the  money 
came  there,  too  ;  at  least  I  feel  sure  myself, 
though  I  cannot  prove  it.  Mr.  Pierce,  if 
you  will  send  for  Mr.  Rogers,  I  think  he  can 
explain  it  all  to  you,  and  convince  you  that 
Arnold,  the  man  who  came  here  to  warn  you 
concerning  me,  is  himself  the  thief." 

Edward   spoke  eagerly,  his  cheek  flushing, 


200  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

and  his  eye  frankly  meeting  that  of  the  offi- 
cer. 

".Well,  let's  hear  your  story,"  said  Mr. 
Pierce,  more  than  half  convinced  of  his  inno- 
cence. 

"  I  had  rather  Mr.  Rogers  would  hear  it, 
too ;  because  he  knows  some  facts  which  I  only 
suspect.  If  you,  sir,"  speaking  to  the  officer, 
"  will  have  the  kindness  to  go  with  me,  I  will 
ask  him  to  come  here  at  once." 

The  gentlemen  spoke  together  a  moment, 
and  then  the  officer  signified  his  readiness  to 
accompany  him. 

They  went  down  stairs  together,  but  had  no 
sooner  reached  the  door  than  Edward,  without 
stopping  to  request  his  companion  to  excuse 
him,  dashed  back  again  to  ask  Mr.  Pierce  to 
look  from  the  window  and  tell  him  whether 
the  gentleman  who  was  slowly  passing  was  the 
one  who  had  pretended  such  friendship  for 
him. 


THE   THEFT  DISCOVERED.  201 

The  editor,  after  a  glance,  acknowledged 
that  he  was. 

"  I  knew  it,"  exclaimed  Norris,  greatly  ex- 
cited. Turning  around  he  found  the  officer 
close  at  his  elbow. 

"  You  are  such  a  slippery  fellow,"  he  said, 
"  I  must  keep  you  in  sight." 

"  I  wouldn't  part  company  from  you  at 
present,"  answered  Edward,  smiling ;  "  for  I 
want  to  see  whether  you  are  acquainted  with 
a  man  who  just  crossed  the  street.  Come,  if 
we  hurry  we  shall  overtake  him." 

He  put  his  arm  through  the  officer's,  and 
soon  came  in  sight  of  Arnold,  who,  with  his 
tiny  cane,  was  switching  the  air  as  he  slowly 
sauntered  along  the  sidewalk. 

"  There  he  is  —  the  one  with  the  cane.  Do 
you  know  him  ?  "  asked  Edward,  in  a  low  tone. 

"  I  rather  guess  I  do,"  answered  the  man, 
with  a  sly  wink  out  of  the  corner  of  his  eye. 

"  Well,  I'm  pretty  sure  —  as  sure  as  I  can 


202  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

be  without  the  proof —  that  he  stole  the  money ; 
for  he  gave  me  Mr.  Wells' s  vest  for  a  present 
only  last  night,  and  I  found  him  in  my  room 
when  I  went  home  from  the  Lodging-House." 

He  then  related  facts  with  which  the  reader 
is  well  acquainted,  and  his  suspicion  that  the 
noise  he  had  heard  in  his  chamber  at  midnight 
was  Arnold  putting  the  money  in  his  trunk. 

"  More  likely  he  went  to  return  the  key," 
remarked  the  officer,  shrewdly.  "  I've  had 
my  eye  out  in  his  direction  for  some  months, 
and  'twould  be  better  than  a  good  dinner  to 
me  to  catch  him  tripping." 

Finding  that  he  had  an  interested  listener,  Ed- 
ward went  on  narrating  many  incidents  in  his 
own  life  connected  with  Arnold  ;  but  neither  of 
them  could  imagine  why,  with  such  pretended 
friendship,  the  villain  had  turned  so  suddenly 
against  him,  unless  he  had  intended  to  keep 
the  money. 

"  I  wish  I  had  asked  Mr.  Wells  to  see  how 


TUB   THEFT   DISCOVERED.  203 

it  was  marked,"  cried  Edward.  "  Perhaps  he 
discovered  the  mark,  and  feared  it  would  be 
traced  to  him." 

"  I  rather  think  you've  hit  the  nail  on  the 
head,"  responded  the  officer,  laughing. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

EDWARD     REINSTATED. 

II  TR.  ROGERS  readily  consented  to  Edward's 
-*"-*1  request ;  and,  after  a  few  private  words 
with  the  policeman,  with  whom  he  was  well 
acquainted,  came  to  the  conclusion  that  this 
was  a  plot  of  Arnold's  to  get  money  ;  but, 
finding  it  marked,  deemed  it  more  prudent 
to  deposit  it  with  Edward. 

That  the  officer  judged  Edward  to  be  inno- 
cent, might  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  he 
allowed  him  to  remain  out  of  sight  while  they 
were  talking. 

When  they  reached  the  office  of  the  Com- 
mercial Advertiser,  Norris  gave  the  gentleman 


EDWARD   REINSTATED.  205 

an  account  of  his  connection  with  Arnold, 
ending  with  the  gift  of  the  vest  the  night  pre- 
vious, and  the  noise  he  heard  in  his  chamber. 

They  thought  the  proof  against  Arnold,  com- 
bined with  what  Mr.  Rogers  knew  of  his  char- 
acter, sufficient  to  warrant  an  arrest,  and  the 
officer  in  company  with  Norris  proceeded  to 
his  boarding-house  for  that  purpose. 

"If  we  could  only  get  proof,"  repeated  the 
man  again  and  again.  "  This  story  sounds 
very  pretty  ;  but  when  they  get  the  scoundrel 
into  court,  he'll  be  acquitted  for  want  of  proof." 
Edward  was  silent  from  disappointment. 
He  hated  Arnold,  and  scarcely  less  strong  was 
his  desire  for  his  own  acquittal  than  for  the 
conviction  and  sentence  of  the  villain  to  a  long 
term  of  imprisonment. 

The  girl  who  answered  the  bell  was  one  to 
whom  Edward  had  showed  many  favors.  She 
had  aged  parents  in  Ireland,  and  as  she  could 
not  write,  he  had  several  times  exercised  his 


206  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

talent  for  her  benefit.  Indeed,  once  he  had 
printed  a  short  letter  for  her,  much  to  her 
delight. 

Her  face  was  very  red,  and  her  eyes  swollen 
with  crying ;  but  as  soon  as  she  saw  Ned  she 
threw  up  her  hands  and  uttered  an  exclaftna- 
tion  of  joy. 

"  And  ye  aren't  in  prison  after  all !  "  she  ex- 
claimed ;  "  I  was  going  to  beg  an  hour  of 
mistress,  and  let  ye  out.  I  could  do  it ;  and 
I  would,  if  I  lost  my  place  by  it." 

"  What  do  you  mean,  Ann  ?  "  he  inquired, 
eagerly.  "  How  could  you  let  me  out  ?  " 

She  gave  her  head  a  toss  as  she  answered, 
"  I  mean  what  I  say  ;  and  money  can't  keep 
me  from  doing  a  good  turn  for  those  who  have 
been  good  to  me." 

"  Is  Mr.  Arnold  in  the  house  ?  "  inquired  the 
officer. 

"  No,  sir,  he  is  not ;  bad  luck  to  him." 


EDWARD    REINSTATED.  207 

"  Well,  I  will  walk  into  the  parlor.  I  want 
to  ask  you  a  few  questions." 

"  Are  you  going  to  take  him  [pointing  to 
Edward]  to  prison,  sir  ?  " 

"  Either  he  or  Mr.  Arnold  must  go.  One  of 
them  has  stolen  money  from  the  office  of  the 
Commercial  Advertiser." 

"  Och,  indeed  !  Mr.  Norris  sha'n't  be  put  in 
the  dirty  place,  for  I'll  go  into  court  against 
the  other.  I  saw  him  do  it." 

"  Do  what  ?  " 

"  Put  the  money  in  Edward's  trunk  ; " 
touching  his  arm. 

"  Ah,  that's  evidence  with  a  witness,"  re- 
marked the  man,  drily.  "  What  is  your 
dinner-hour  ?  " 

"  Two  o'clock." 

"  With  your  leave  I'll  wait  here  then,"  tak- 
ing a  seat  where  he  could  see  who  entered  the 
hall  without  himself  being  seen. 


208  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

"  Is  that  what  you've  been  crying  for,  An- 
nie ?  "  asked  Edward,  in  a  low  voice. 

"  Well,  it's  no  use  denying  it,  'cause  it's  the 
truth.  I  was  dressing  the  bed,  when  I  heard 
a  step  coming  softly  up  the  stairs,  and  then 
some  one  tried  the  door,  to  know  whether  it 
was  locked,  I  suppose.  I'll  not  deny  I  was 
frightened,  and  hid  behind  the  bed ;  but  I  saw 
Mr.  Arnold  come  in  and  go  straight  to  your 
trunk,  which  he  unlocked  after  trying  a  good 
many  keys.  Then  he  opened  his  own  pocket- 
book  and  took  out  a  great  roll  of  bills,  did  them 
up  in  a  bit  of  paper,  and  laid  them  in. 

"  That  will  do  the  business  for  Norris,"  he 
said. 

"  I  was  simple  enough  to  think  it  was  giving 
you  the  money,  he  was ;  but  when  the  officer 
came  to  search  your  trunk,  and  I  heard  mis- 
tress say  you  was  found  out  to  be  a  big  thief, 
I  cried  then.  As  to  the  vest,  I  can  swear  I 
saw  Mr.  Arnold  wearing  it  at  supper-time,  so 


EDWARD   KEINSTATED.  '    209 

perhaps  he  put  that  there  too.  And  if  he 
didn't,  sure,  sir,  turning  to  the  officer,  a  vest 
is  a  small  thing  to  put  a  bye  in  prison  for." 

"  He  shan't  go  into  prison  this  time,"  re- 
sponded the  man.  "  I've  done  with  both  of 
you  till  the  trial ;  so  you  had  better  go  about 
your  business." 

"  You  shan't  lose  anything  by  crying  on  my 
account,"  whispered  Edward,  as  they  left  the 
room.  "  I'll  give  you  the  prettiest  book  I  can 
find  at  the  stores." 

I  cannot  stop  to  give  a  minute  account  of 
the  trial  and  imprisonment  of  Arnold,  alias 
Dale,  alias  Wingfield.  Suffice  it  to  say,  he  had 
been  an  object  of  suspicion  in  certain  quarters 
for  a  long  period,  and  did  not  receive  much 
favor  from  the  court.  He  was  sentenced  to 
hard  labor  in  the  state  prison  for  the  term  of 
five  years. 

Edward   Norris   was    honorably   acquitted 

by  his  employers  of  all  participation   in   the 
14 


210  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

theft.  The  cordiality  with  which  they  shook 
his  hand  on  his  return  to  the  office  proved 
their  pleasure  in  being  able  to  retain  him  in 
the  office. 

But  the  young  man,  though  greatly  relieved 
by  the  happy  turn  in  his  affairs,  could  not  at 
once  decide  to  return  to  business.  He  plead 
truly  that  his  mind  was  so  confused  that  he 
could  not  apply  himself  to  labor,  and  they, 
though  at  great  personal  inconvenience,  felt 
obliged  to  allow  him  a  day  or  two  for  recrea- 
tion. 

The  evening  found  him  again  at  the  Lodg- 
ing-House.  He  had  been  disappointed  in  not 
finding  Jack  at  home ;  and  as  he  could  not 
now  as  formerly  pass  an  evening  at  Mrs. 
Holland's,  he  knew  no  other  place  where  he 
could  find  that  sympathy  which  was  indispen- 
sable to  his  happiness. 

Mr.  Rogers  received  him  with  marked  kind- 
ness. Mrs.  Rogers  congratulated  him  on  his 


EDWARD    REINSTATED.  211 

early  release  from  trial,  and  the  boys  who  had 
learned  his  story  got  up  three  hearty  cheers  for 
their  old  companion. 

They  invited  him  to  make  a  speech,  as  this 
was  club  night ;  but  he  felt  quite  unequal  to 
the  effort. 

At  last,  after  some  debating,  a  youth  by  the 
name  of  Standish  was  chosen  orator  for  the 
occasion ;  and,  mounting  the  platform,  he 
commenced  in  the  following  strain : 

"  Boys,  gentlemen,  chummies :  P'r'aps  you'd 
like  to  hear  sumwit  about  the  West,  —  the 
great  West  you  know,  where  so  many  of  our 
old  friends  are  settled  down  and  grown'  up  to 
be  great  men  —  maybe  the  greatest  men  in  the 
country.  Boys,  that's  the  place  for  growin' 
Congressmen  and  Governors  and  Presidents. 
Do  you  want  to  be  news-boys  always,  and 
shoe-blacks,  and  timber  merchants  in  a  small 
way  by  selling  matches  ?  If  ye  do,  yc'll  stay 


212  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

right  here  in  the  city  ;  but  if  you  don't,  you'll 
go  out  West  and  begin  to  be  farmers  ;  for  the 
beginning  of  a  farmer,  boys,  is  the  making  of 
a  Congressman  and  a  President.  Do  you 
want  to  be  rowdies  and  loafers  and  shoulder- 
hitters  ?  If  ye  do,  why  ye  can  keep  around 
in  these  diggins.  Do  you  want  to  be  gintle- 
men  and  independent  citizens  ?  You  do  ? 
Then  make  tracts  for  the  West. 

"  If  you  want  to  be  snoozers  and  rummies, 
policy  players,  and  Peter  Funks  men,  why 
you'll  hang  up  your  caps,  and  stay  round  the 
groceries,  and  jine  nre-ingines  and  target  com- 
panies, and  go  firing  at  hay-stacks  for  bad 
quarters ;  but  if  ye  want  to  be  the  man  who 
will  make  his  mark  in  the  country,  ye  will 
get  up  steam  and  go  ahead,  and  there's  lots  on 
the  prairies  a  waitin'  for  ye's. 

"  You  havn't  any  idea  of  what  ye  may  be 
yet,  if  yc  will  only  take  a  bit  of  my  advice. 
How  do  you  know  but,  if  you  are  honest 


EDWARD    REINSTATED.  213 

and  good  and  industrious,  you  may  get  so 
much  up  in  the  ranks  that  you  wont  call  a 
gineral  or  a  judge  your  boss  ?  And  you'll 
have  servants  of  all  kinds  to  tend  you,  to  put 
you  to  bod  when  you're  sleepy,  and  to  spoon 
down  your  vittles  when  you  are  gettin'  your 
grub. 

"  Oh,  boy !  wont  that  be  great !  Only  think, 
to  have  a  feller  open  your  mouth,  and  put 
great  slices  of  pumpkin  pie  and  apple  dump- 
lings into  it.  You  will  be  lifted  on  hossback 
when  you  go  for  to  take  a  ride  on  the  prairies ; 
and  if  you  choose  to  go  in  a  wagon,  or  on  a 
'scursion,  you  will  find  that  the  hard  times 
don't  touch  you  there  ;  and  the  best  of  it  will 
be  that  if  'tis  good  to-day,  'twill  be  better  to- 
morrow. 

"  But  how  will  it  be  if  you  don't  go,  boys  ? 
Why,  I'm  afeard  when  you  grow  too  big  to  live 
in  the  Lodging-House  any  longer,  you'll  be 
like  lost  sheep  in  the  wilderness,  as  we  heard 


214  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

of  last  Sunday  night  here,  and  you'll  maybe 
not  find  your  way  out  any  more. 

"  But  you'll  be  found  somewhere  else.  The 
best  of  you  will  be  something  short  of  judges 
and  governors,  and  the  feller  as. has  the  worst 
luck,  and  the  worse  behavior  in  the  groceries, 
will  be  very  sure  to  go  from  them  to  the 
prisons. 

"  I  will  now  come  from  the  stump.  I  am 
booked  for  the  West  in  the  next  company  from 
the  Lodging-House.  I  hear  they  have  big 
school-houses  and  colleges  there,  and  that  they 
have  a  place  for  me  in  the  winter  time.  I  want 
to  be  somebody,  and  somebody  don't  live  here, 
no  how.  You'll  find  him  on  a  farm  in  the 
West,  and  I  hope  you'll  come  to  see  him  soon, 
and  stop  with  him  when  you  go,  and  let  every 
one  of  you  be  somebody,  and  be  loved  and 
respected.  I  thank  you,  boys,  for  your  patient 
attention.  I  can't  say  more  at  present.  I 
hope  I  haven't  said  too  much." 


EDWARD   REINSTATED.  215 

A  long-continued  shout  of  applause  followed 
this  speech,  after  which  another  youthful  De- 
mosthenes arose ;  but  one  of  the  audience  sat 
as  if  spell-bound.  There  were  perfect  roars  of 
laughter,  and  cries  of  "  Hi,  now !  that's  the 
talk,  old  fellow !  "  but  Edward  heard  them  not. 
To  him  the  words  of  the  first  speaker  came 
with  peculiar  power.  He  had  often  listened 
to  similar  appeals,  but  never  when  they  came 
home  to  his  own  heart.  He  had  considered  his 
destiny  decided,  and  himself  settled  in  the  city 
for  life  ;  but  now,  discontented  with  his  present 
situation,  unwilling  to  be  longer  in  the  employ 
of  those  who  had  even  suspected  him  of 
defrauding  them,  unwilling  also  to  subject 
himself  to  the  temptations  of  a  city  life,  which 
had  proved  too  much  for  him,  his  thoughts 
turned  to  the  great  and  growing  country  whose 
claims  upon  his  attention  his  friend  had  so 
forcibly  portrayed. 

His   ambition   was    fired   at   the   thought. 


216  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

"  Who  knows  but  I  might  rise  to  be  a  Governor, 
or  even  a  President?  Or,  if  not,  I  might 
amass  great  wealth,  and  become  a  useful,  hon- 
ored citizen.  I  will  try  it,  —  yes,  I  will  go." 

Before  he  left  the  Lodging-House  Edward 
sought  Mr.  Rogers,  and  informed  the  gentle- 
man of  his  new-formed  resolution,  and  was  not 
discouraged  jvhen  the  reply  was,  "  I  will  think 
of  it  and  sleep  over  it." 

As  for  himself,  though  he  retired  early,  he 
scarcely  slept  at  all.  His  wonder  was  that  he 
had  not  thought  of  this  plan  before.  He  re- 
solved to  make  an  early  call  upon  Jack,  and 
inform  him  of  his  new  project,  and  then  to 
notify  his  employers  that  he  wished  to  leave 
their  services. 

"It  is  their  own  fault,"  he  said,  his  face 
burning  at  the  recollection  of  the  charge  that 
had  been  made  against  him.  "  They  preferred 
to  trust  a  stranger  rather  than  one  who  had 
served  them  faithfully  for  months." 


EDWARD    REINSTATED.  217 

Here  his  conscience  smote  him.  'il  com- 
mitted sins  against. my  Maker  quite  as  hein- 
ous," he  said,  half  aloud ;  "  and  what  re- 
strained me  from  being  really  what  I  was 
charged  with  being,  a  thief?  "  Nothing  but  the 
grace  of  God,  which  Mr.  Rogers  talks  so  much 
about. 

"  Well,  there  wont  be  half  the  temptations 
at  the  West.  I  am  determined  to  go." 

Messrs.  Pierce  and  Wells  were  very  reluctant 
to  have  •  Edward  leave  them,  having  experi- 
enced much  difficulty  in  getting  trusty  youth 
in  their  office  ;  but  when  they  found  his  deter- 
mination was  fixed,  they  interested  themselves 
in  his  future  prospects,  wrote  a  letter  of  high 
recommendation,  and  gave  him  a  handsome 
suit  of  clothes,  including  the  vest  already 
spoken  of. 

He  remained  in  the  office,  however,  for 
three  weeks,  and  then  went  to  the  Lodging- 
House,  where  he  devoted  himself  to  his  studies 


218  NEVEE   GIVE   UP. 

for  nearly  a  month  longer ;  at  the  end  of  which 
time  a  company   of  young  men  went   West, 

under  the  care  of  Mr.  M ,  who  succeeded 

in  finding  good  places  for  them. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

EDWARD'S  NEW  HOME. 

T)ERHAPS  I  cannot  give  the  reader  a  bet- 
-*-  ter  account  of  Edward's  situation  and 
prospects  than  by  quoting  from  a  letter  which 
he  wrote  Mrs.  Rogers  about  two  months  after 
his  settlement  in  14^  new  home. 

"R ,  ILL. 

"  MY  DEAR  FRIEND  :  —  I  suppose  you  will 
wonder  that  I  have  not  written  you  ;  but  after 

Mr.  M called  to  see  me  I  was  very  busy, 

and  then  I  thought  I  would  wait  till  I  could 
tell  you  something  encouraging  about  myself. 

"  I  suppose  Mr.  M told  you   that   the 

gentleman  who  took  me  is  the  owner  of  a  large 

219 


220  NEVER   GIVE  UP. 

farm,  and  that  he  raises  hundreds  of  acres 
of  wheat  and  corn  and  oats.  I  reached  here 
just  in  time  to  be  of  good  service  to  him,  and 
though  at  first  it  was  all  new  to  me,  he  says  I 
learned  to  plough,  harrow,  and  sow  seed  faster 
than  any  boy  he  ever  had. 

"  Mr.  Monson  has  several  children,  and  he 
treats  me  as  if  I  were  one  of  them.  The 
daughters  too,  are  very  kind  to  me,  and  one  of 
them,  seventeen  years  old,  takes  care  of  my 
clothes  and  keeps  them  in  nice  order.  Though 
she,  her  mother,  and  all  the  family  work  hard 
a  part  of  the  time,  yet  they  are  educated  peo- 
ple. They  moved  to  Illinois  from  Connecticut. 
Mrs.  Monson  and  her  daughters  play  the  piano, 
and  Sabbath  nights  we  have  a  grand  sing. 
They  insisted  that  I  could  learn  if  1  wished. 
Xow  I  have  got  so  I  can  join  in  some  tunes. 
Every  morning  and  evening  we  all  go  into  the 
sitting-room  for  family  prayers.  No  matter 
how  busy  we  are,  Mr.  Monson  says  no  one  ever 


EDWARD'S  NEW  HOME.  221 

lost  anything  by  giving  God  his  due  ;  and 
certainly  a  half  hour  morning  and  night  is  not 
much  to  devote  to  thanking  him  for  all  his 
mercies.  We  all  read  a  verse  in  the  Bible, 
and  then  sing  a  hymn  while  one  of  the  daugh- 
ters plays  (most  generally  Lucy),  and  then  Mr. 
Monsou  offers  a  prayer. 

"  Somehow  I  can't  help  thanking  God  at 
such  times  for  what  he  has  done  for  me. 

"  When  I  think  what  I  was  once,  and  what 
I  should  have  been  but  for  the  kind  people  who 
got  up  the  News-boy's  Lodging-House,  I  feel 
that  if  ever  any  one  ought  to  thank  God,  it  is 
I.  But  when  I  remember  how  wickedly  I  for- 
got all  he  had  done  for  me,  and  all  your  kind- 
ness, and  how  I  committed  so  many  sins,  I  some- 
times think  I'm  too  far  gone  to  be  forgiven. 

. "  One  day  I  felt  very  badly.  Mr.  Monson 
and  I  were  working  alone  about  two  miles 
from  home.  He  saw  I  looked  sober,  and  he 
asked  me  if  I  was  sorry  I  came  West. 


222  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

"  '  No,  sir-ee,'  I  said.  '  I've  enjoyed  more 
since  I  came  than  all  the  rest  of  my  life  to- 
gether.' 

"  '  What  is  it,  then  ? '  he  asked  ;  '  I've 
thought  you  seemed  rather  down-spirited  for  a 
day  or  two.' 

"  It  came  right  into  my  mind  then  to  tell 
him  how  I  felt.  He  dropped  his  hoe  and  sat 
down  under  a  tree,  and  there,  right  on  the 
ploughed  land,  he  prayed  God  to  pardon  all 
my  sins,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ.  He  told 
me  I  needn't  feel  at  all  discouraged.  All  I'd 
got  to  do  was  to  tell  the  Saviour  what  a  sinner 
I'd  been,  and  how  sorry  I  was,  and  that  I 
wanted  him  to  forgive  me. 

"  Dear  Mr.  Rogers,  I  hope  some  time  I  shall 
be  as  good  a  Christian  as  he  is.  If  I  am,  I 
shall  try  to  do  everything  I  can  for  poor  orphan 
boys. 

"  I  try  to  be  faithful  in  my  work.  Mr.  Mon- 
son  says  he  is  more  than  satisfied  with  me. 


EDWARD'S  NEW  HOME.  223 

We  have  horses  in  abundance,  and  I  can  ride 
about  wherever  I  please.  The  farmers  here 
never  ride  without  a  span,  —  and  fine  horses 
they  are,  too. 

"  Mr.  Monson  has  promised  I  shall  go  to  the 
fair  this  fall.  It  is  a  great  occasion  out  here. 
It  will  be  my  own  fault  if  I  am  not  a  rich  man 
and  a  useful  man. 

"  Before  I  close  my  long  letter,  I  want  to 
thank  you  and  all  those  benevolent  individuals 
who  formed  a  society  for  taking  friendless, 
homeless,  and  often  wicked  children  from  the 
street,  and  training  them  up  to  be  good  and 
useful  citizens.  Certainly  if  any  men  deserve 
a  blessing  they  do.  If  many  of  those  wealthy 
merchants  who  live  in  luxury  and  roll  at 
their  ease  in  their  splendid  carriages  would 
consider  the  wants  of  the  poor  and  how  much 
crime  might  be  prevented  by  educating  the 
children  to  good  habits,  I  think  they  would  be 
far  happier  to  give  a  portion  of  their  money  to 


224  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

the  good  work.  Certainly  when  they  come  to 
die  they  would  be  happier  than  if  they  had 
spent  it  all  on  themselves. 

"  Mr.  Monson  wishes  me  to  say,  '  God  bless 
you  ever  in  your  noble  work.' 

"  Your  affectionate,  obliged  scholar, 

EDWARD  NORRIS." 

Here  we  must  leave  Edward  for  the  present, 
and  return  to  our  friend  Jack,  whom  we  left 
fast  winning  the  confidence  of  Mr.  Sennott, 
and  the  attorney  engaged  in  preparing  a  case 
in  court  —  Morrill  versus  Ransom. 

Passing  over  a  period  of  several  weeks,  we 
find  Jack  has  not  only  made  himself  of  great 
service  to  his  employer,  and  proved  himself 
honest,  industrious,  shrewd,  and  discerning, 
but  he  has  also  advanced  quite  rapidly  in  his 
studies.  His  manner  of  spending  the  day  was 
this. 

He  rose  early,  and  after  removing  his  mat- 
tress to  the  closet,  for  time  was  precious  with 


EDWARD'S  NEW  HOME.  225 

him,  lit  the  gas  and  sat  down  on  the  rug  before 
the  fire  to  study  his  Latin  for  fifteen  minutes, 
so  that  he  might  have  something  to  think  of 
while  making  the  fire  and  putting  the  room  in 
order.  Sometimes  it  was  to  decline  a  noun  or 
conjugate  a  verb  ;  sometimes  to  commit  a  list 
of  irregular  verbs,  such  as  sum,  volo,  fero, 
edo,  fio,  eo,  and  their  compounds,  with  an  oc- 
casional glance  at  the  book  ;  so  that  by  the 
time  his  work  was  done,  quite  a  good  lesson 
was  learned.  When  the  clerk  came  in,  he  ran 
away  for  his  breakfast ;  after  which  he  copied 
papers,  went  errands,  or  did  any  other  busi- 
ness required  of  him.  At  half-past  one  he 
went  to  his  dinner,  where  he  had  a  pleasant 
chat  with  Ned,  then  back  again  to  write  or  to 
study,  unless  Mr.  Sennott  motioned  to  him  that 
it  would  be  more  improving  for  him  to  listen 
to  some  explanation  of  law.  Then  tea  at  six.; 
when,  except  for  an  occasional  visit  with  Ed- 
ward to  the  Lodging-House,  or  attendance  at 
15 


226  NEVER    GIVE    LT. 

the  weekly  lecture,  where  he  was  sure  to  meet 
the  Hollands,  he  had  a  long  and  uninterrupted 
season  for  study. 

When  Mrs.  Scnnott  sent  his  mattress  and 
bed  clothes,  he  had  begged  for  some  large 
pieces  of  cloth  to  cover  the  table  and  sofa ;  and 
these  he  was  in  the  habit  of  spreading  over 
the  furniture  at  night,  as  also  to  have  his  hod 
for  the  cinders  and  his  kindlings  ready  for 
morning. 

As  the  lawyer  insisted  that  the  closet  was  too 
small  to  sleep  in,  he  always  brought  his  bed 
out  and  spread  it  next  the  wall  behind  the 
sofa,  which  at  this  season  was  pulled  up  toward 
the  fire. 

One  night,  having  studied  rather  longer  than 
Tisual,  he  fell  into  a  profound  slumber,  which 
was  at  last  disturbed  by  the  click  of  the  lock 
on  the  door.  Repressing  the  inclination  to 
scream,  he  put  both  hands  to  his  heart  to 
stop  its  wild  beating,  and  soon  heard  steps 


EDWARD'S  NEW  HOME.  227 

cautiously  entering  the  room.  By  the  shadow 
from  their  lantern,  he  perceived  there  were  two 
men  come,  as  he  supposed,  in  search  of  money. 
As  cautiously  as  possible  he  slid  from  his  mat- 
tress and  crept  under  the  sofa,  where,  lifting  a 
corner  of  the  large  covering,  he  could  see  all 
that  passed.  It  was  fortunate  for  him  that  the 
light  used  by  the  robbers  was  what  is  called 
a  dark-lantern,  throwing  the  rays  on  objects 
directly  before  them  and  leaving  the  rest  of 
the  room  in  shadow. 

'Jack  was  ignorant  whether  there  was  much 
or  any  money  in  the  desk.  At  one  moment 
he  thought  he  would  with  a  sudden  start  throw 
open  the  window  and  call  loudly  for  the  po- 
lice ;  then  lie  resolved  to  wait  and  watch;  The 
latter  resolution  was  quickened  by  hearing  one 
of  the  men  say,  in  a  hoarse  voice : 

"  The  papers  Avill  be  marked,  of  course." 
"  Yes,"  responded   the  other ;   "  and  if  we 
can  but  destroy  them,  Ave'rc  safe  enough." 


228  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

"  It's  a  risky  business,  though,"  suggested 
the  first  speaker,  rummaging  among  the  pa- 
pers. "  I  hope  you'll  make  good  your  promise 
to  me." 

"  Here  they  are  !  "  screamed  the  other,  with 
an  oath,  and  without  waiting  to  answer  the 
question.  He  turned  toward  the  light  to 
read  more  distinctly,  and  thus  Jack  for  the 
first  time  plainly  saw  his  face.  "  Here  they 
are  !  — '  Morrill  versus  Ransom ' — all  arranged 
and  marked  for  the  trial."  He  laughed  a  low, 
malignant  laugh,  in  which  the  other  joined. 
Ha,  ha,  ha !  wont  they  look  blank  to-morrow  ? 
Come  — luck  has  favored  us  —  let's  be  going." 

"  We  may  as  well  relieve  the  lawyer  of  any 
loose  change,"  said  the  other  man,  taking  a 
small  instrument  from  his  pocket  and  easily 
picking  the  lock  to  the  desk. 

"  Pshaw  !  "  exclaimed  the  other,  with  an  an- 
gry oath.  "  What  a  fool  you  are.  Don't  you  see 
that  when  they  find  the  lock  has  been  forced 


EDWARD'S  NEW  HOME.  229 

they'll  have  the  police  on  the  scent  at  once. 
Now  we've  thrown  away  the  four  or  five  hours 
that  were  in  our  favor;  for  they'll  search  at 
once  to  find  what's  missing." 

Here  the  man  grew  so  enragod  that  Jack 
feared  they  would  get  to  fighting  before  they 
left  the  office.  His  lips  were  perfectly  color- 
less, and  he  clenched  his  hand,  holding  it  in  the 
face  of  his  companion.  But  with  a  seeming 
effort  controlling  himself,  he  muttered  some 
indistinct  sentence,  and  theh  repeated  the 
words,  "  Come  —  it's  time  we  were  off." 

The  door  was  scarcely  closed  when  Jack 
bounded  out  of  bed,  thrust  his  feet  in  his 
pants,  and  seizing  his  outside  coat  hastened  to 
follow  the  robbers  down  the  stairs,  carrying 
his  boots  in  his  hand.  They  were  hurrying 
along  the  street,  and  he  cautiously  followed, 
taking  care  to  keep  in  the  shade  of  the  build- 
ings. 

When  they  had  gone  the  distance  of  two  or 


230  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

three  streets  they  stopped  $r  moment,  said  a 
few  words,  which  he  was  not  near  enough  to 
hear,  and  then  separated.  From  their  conver- 
sation, however,  he  had  learned  that  the  taller 
man  was  the  principal  in  the  theft,  and  the 
other  only  the  hired  accomplice.  He  did  not 
hesitate  a  moment,  therefore,  in  following  the 
first,  which  he  did,  up  one  street  and  down  an- 
other, until,  in  his  half-dressed  state,  he  was 
chilled  through.  But  suddenly  the  man 
stopped  at  the  'door  of  a  mean-looking  house, 
and,  taking  a  night  key  from  his  pocket,  passed 
in  out  of  sight. 

Jack,  who  knew  the  locality  well,  only  stopped 
long  enough  .to  make  sure  of  the  number  and 
the  .general  appearance  of  the  place,  which  he 
was  able  to  do  by  a  neighboring  street-lamp, 
and  then  ran  with  all  speed  back  to  the  office. 
Here,  falling  on  his  knees  in  front  of  the  fire, 
he  fervently  thanked  God  for  protecting  his 
life  from  danger,  and  rendering  him  the  means 


EDWARD'S  NEW  HOME.  231 

of  bringing  the  iniquity  of  the  robbers  to 
light.  By  a  rapid  association  of  ideas,  too, 
he  went  back  to  the  time  when  he  himself  had 
been  guilty  of  theft,  the  one  instance  of  which, 
it  will  be  remembered,  he  had  confessed  to  Mr. 
Sennott.  He  shuddered  when  he  thought  that 
unless  withheld  by  the  overruling  providence 
of  the  kind  Being  who  had  watched  over  him, 
he  might  now  be  spending  the  hours  of 
darkness  in  perpetrating  deeds  of  villany. 
Never  before  had  he  felt  so  convinced  of  his 
need  of  Divine  help  to  keep  him  in  the  path  of 
right,  and  never  had  he  so  earnestly  implored 
the  God  of  his  mother  to  be  his  God  and  por- 
tion forever  more.  He  sat  there  in  the  dim 
firelight,  tears  streaming  down  his  cheeks.  He 
remembered  how  his  mother  used  to  be  com- 
forted and  soothed  by  giving  her  cares  up  to 
her  Saviour,  and  he  for  the  first  time  experi- 
enced this  kind  of  peace  in  his  own  soul.  He 
knew  not  how  it  was,  but  he  felt  that  God  was 


232  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

now  his  Father  and  his  Friend  in  a  manner  he 
had  never  been  before.  All  his  cares  for  the 
future  faded  and  vanished  away  in  the  cairn 
trust  that  filled  his  soul.  He  knew  that 
whether  poverty  and  want,  or  prosperity  and 
fame,  such  as  had  heretofore  been  the  dearest 
wish  of  his  heart,  were  his  portion,  all  his 
steps  would  be  ordered  for  him  in  infinite 
mercy. 

A  neighboring  clock  striking  three,  re- 
called him  to  present  duty.  He  realized  that 
it  was  important  Mr.  Sennott  should  know  of 
the  loss  of  the  papers  as  soon  as  possible ;  and 
yet  he  feared  if  he  should  rouse  the  gentleman 
at  this  hour  he  might  be  charged  with  unne- 
cessary haste.  But  the  trial  was  to  take  place 
during  the  day  which  had  now  commenced, 
and  the  missing  documents  were  all-important. 
He  shuddered  as  he  thought  they  might  al- 
ready be  destroyed ;  and  though  he  would  be 
obliged  to  leave  the  room  free  to  any  one  who 


EDWARD'S  NEW  HOME.  233 

might  wish  to  enter,  as  the  lock  was  gone,  he 
resolved  to  delay  no  longer. 

The  family  of  Mr.  Sennott  were  not  a  little 
startled  at  being  aroused  from  sleep  by  the 
loud  and  continued  ringing  of  the  door-bell. 

"  Who's  there  ?  "  called  out  a  servant  from 
the  upper  story,  and  "  Who's  there  ?  "  called 
the  lawyer  from  below. 

"  I  want  to  see  you,  sir,"  Jack  remarked  to 
the  last  questioner. 

"  Can't  you  wait  till  morning  ?  " 

" No,  sir ;  I  must  see  you  now" 

"  Well  done,  my  young  fellow  !  "  exclaimed 
the  gentleman,  as,  after  having  listened  to 
Jack's  rapid  account  of  the  robbery,  he 
cordially  extended  his  hand.  "  From  your 
description  I  conclude  the  midnight  thief  to  be 
Ransom  himself.  And  so  they  thought  to  stop 
proceedings,  hey  ?  "  This  was  more  to  him- 
self. He  laughed  in  derision,  but  then  said, 


234  NEVER    GIVE    UP. 

"  You  must  be  hungry,  Jack.  I  think  I  can 
find  something  to  satisfy  you." 

"  Oh,  no,  sir  !  And  I  must  be  back  at 
the  office,  which  any  one  can  enter  —  only  I 
thought  you  ought  to  know,  sir." 

"  Well,  run,  then,  and  get  an  hour  of  sleep. 
By  six  I  shall  make  Ransom  an  unexpected 
visit  in  company  with  an  officer,  and  shall 
wish  you  to  go  with  me  and  identify  the  thief." 

Jack  was  soon  on  the  rug  again,  but  he  felt 
no  disposition  for  slumber. 

"  What  a  night  this  has  been  to  me !  "  he 
said  repeatedly,  —  "a  night  I  never  shall  forget. 
If  mother  can  see  me,  she  will  be  happier,  even 
in  heaven,  to  know  I  have  begun  to  love  Jesus." 

He  hastened  to  renew  the  fire,  and  have  all 
ready  before  Mr.  Sennott  came.  Then,  as  it 
was  still  dark,  he  lit  the  gas  and  read  a  few 
verses  in  the  Bible.  Heretofore  he  had  scarcely 
opened  this  volume,  except  to  read  occasionally 
a  story  on  the  Sabbath,  or  to  commit  his  Sab- 


EDWARD'S  NEW  HOME.  235 

bath-school  lesson.  Now  it  seemed  the  dear- 
est treasure  he  had  on  earth  —  his  chart  to 
heaven. 

After  again  committing  himself  to  the  care 
of  God,  he  went  into  the  closet,  and  took  from 
the  chest  where  he  kept  his  clothes  a  little 
pocket-book  which  his  mother  had  used.  Here 
lie  kept  his  small  amount  of  money.  This  he 
carefully  counted,  and  was  greatly  pleased  to 
find  that  it  contained  sufficient  to  make  full 
restitution  to  the  lad  from  whom  he  had  stolen 
some  papers  nearly  three  years  before. 

Just  as  the  clock  struck  six,  Mr.  Sennott, 
the  clerk,  and  an  officer  entered. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

JACK    AND    HIS    SAVIOUE. 

police  officer  examined  critically  the 
•*-  door  lock,  then  the  fastenings  to  the  desk  ; 
after  which  he  made  Jack  repeat  the  descrip- 
tion of  the  two  robbers.  To  tell  the  truth,  the 
lad  had  not  paid  much  attention  to  the  accom- 
plice. He  had  not  thought  it  worth  while, 
when  the  principal  was  by.  The  officer  shook 
his  head.  It  was  evident  he  thought  other- 
wise. 

"  There  was  nothing,  then,"  he  said,  at 
length,  "  by  which  you  could  recognize*  the 
other?" 

"  Nothing,  sir,  except  his  singular  voice." 

236 


JACK   AND   HIS    SAVIOUR.  237 

"  Ah,"  said  the  man,  with  a  smile.  "  He 
had  a  peculiar  voice,  then  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir :  it  was  sometimes  low  and  hoarse, 
then  it  would  rise  high  and  seem  to  be  beyond 
his  control.  I  noticed  it  even  in  the  few  words 
they  said  at  parting." 

"  And  he  was  short  and  stout  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir.     But  I  did  not  say  so." 

"  And  had  a  stoop  in  his  gait,  like  this  ?  " 

"  I  remember  that,  too." 

"  He  wore  a  brown  surtout,  and  striped 
pants  ? " 

"Oh,  no  !  His  coat  was  blue,  with  loose 
sleeves,  which  seemed  much  too  long  for  him. 
I  don't  remember  about  his  pants  ;  but  his 
sleeve  caught  in  the  cover  of  the  desk  when 
the  other  was  so  angry  with  him  :  that  was 
why  I  noticed  it.  They  were  lined  with  red." 

"  Ah  !  " 

The  officer  was  growing  pleased  with  him- 


238  NEVER   GIVE    UP. 

self,  and  made  the  exclamation  in  a  tone  of 
great  self-complacence. 

"  Why  do  you  care  so  much  for  him  ?  "  Jack 
asked,  simply. 

The  man  regarded  him  a  moment  in  silence, 
and  then,  with  a  glance  at  the  others,  said,  "  It 
is  likely  he  took  the  papers." 

"  No,  sir ;  I  think  —  I  am  almost  sure  —  he 
did  not.  The  tall  man  found  them  and  held 
them  firmly  in  his  hand.  If  he  has  not  kept 
them  he  has  destroyed  them,  and  not  given 
them  to  the  other." 

"  I  think  so,  too,"  said  Mr.  Sennott,  speak- 
ing for  the  first  time. 

They  went  out  together,  and  proceeded  di- 
rectly to  the  street  where  Jack  had  been  the 
night  before.  The  officer  explained  his  plan 
of  taking  the  criminal  as  they  went  along. 
Here  again  Jack  was  to  be  made  useful.  In- 
stead of  ringing  the  bell,  which  might  startle 
the  inmates  at  this  early  hour,  the  lad  was  sent 


JACK   AND   HIS    SAVIOUR.  239 

round  to  the  back  door,  to  tell  the  servant  that 
a  man  at  the  front  wanted  admittance.  Once 
inside,  the  officer  would  ascertain  Mr.  Ransom's 
room,  while  Mr.  Sennott  and  his  young  clerk 
stood  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs  to  prevent  the 
criminal's  escape. 

Everything  happened  as  they  wished.  It 
was  but  a  third-rate  boarding-house,  and  the 
servant  stupidly  answered  the  door  without 
asking  Jack  any  questions.  Without  a  word 
she  directed  the  officer  to  the  first  door  on  the 
second  flight,  and  then  opened  into  a  base- 
ment below,  motioning  the  others  that  they 
might  g*o  in  there  if  they  chose. 

But  they  had  not  long  to  wait.  It  seemed 
scarce  a  moment  after  the  policeman  entered 
the  chamber  before  they  heard  a  loud  shriek, 
followed  by  a  noise  as  if  a  table  had  been 
thrown  over.  They  rushed  to  the  rescue. 

"  Is  that  the  man  ?  "  asked  the  officer,  point- 
ing to  a  ghastly-looking  object  seated  on  the 


240  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

floor  a  soiled  handkerchief  tied  around  his 
head  for  a  night-cap,  having  made  an  ex- 
tremely hasty  toilet. 

Jack  gazed,  but  did  not  speak.  He  could 
not  bear  the  thought  of  testifying  against  a 
man  merely  on  suspicion,  and  he  certainly  did 
not  recognize  him. 

"  Pretty  strong  circumstantial  evidence," 
the  officer  went  on,  clapping  his  hand  on  his 
breast  pocket.  "  Papers  all  safe  here  !  Now, 
young  man,  you  just  run  down  and  send  me 
here  the  first  police  officer  you  can  find ;  and 
you  may  save  yourself  as  a  witness  for  his 
trial.  He'll  be  better  dressed,  maybe*  then." 

The  trial  went  on.  The  counsel  for  the  de- 
fendant wondered  at  his  absence.  Presently 
Mr.  Sennott  summoned  some  witnesses,  when 
Mr.  Ransom  and  his  midnight  accomplice  were 
led  in  by  two  men  with  stars  on  their  breasts. 
Mr.  Sennott  alone  seemed  unmoved.  The  op- 
posite counsel  started  to  his  feet  and  demanded 


JACK   AND   HIS   SAVIOUR.  241 

an  explanation.  The  lawyer  briefly  stated, 
"  Your  client  has  been  arrested  on  a  charge  of 
breaking  open  by  force  my  office,  and  wrong- 
fully seizing  papers  to  which  he  had  no  claim. 
These  papers  are  essential  to  my  case." 

Then  the  judge  called  for  a  reading  of 
them.  Mr.  Ransom's  head  sank  lower  and 
lower  on  his  breast.  The  other  criminal 
looked  around  with  a  defiant  air. 

By  and  by  Jack  was  called  to  give  his  testi- 
mony, as  the  judgment  of  the  other  case  rested 
on  the  authenticity  of  the  papers,  and  the 
motive  the  criminal  had  for  seizing  them.  On 
hearing  this,  the  men  both  started.  Mr.  Ransom 
was  asked  whether  he  had  anything  to  say. 
He  made  no  sign.  The  man  with  the  hoarse 
voice  was  then  interrogated,  and  tried  in  .vain 
to  command  his  tones.  Jack  recognized  them 
both,  and  came  first-best  out  of  the  trial,  hav- 
ing received  an  approving  nod  from  his  master, 

and  a  commendation  from  the  judge  for  his 
16 


242  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

prompt   course   of    action.      He   went   home 
feeling  very  liappy. 

Contrary  to  his  custom  Mr.  Sennott  returned 
to  the  office  from  the  court,  instead  of  going 
directly  to  his  house.  The  clerk  was  out,  and 
the  gentleman,  after  seating  himself  before  the 
bright  fire,  sat  for  some  time  smiling  to  himself. 
Jack  was  finishing  a  paper  the  clerk  had  given 
him  to  copy.  When  he  had  done,  he  saw  the 
gentleman  deliberately  take  out  his  pocket- 
book  and  count  one,  two,  three  bills. 

"  Here,  Jack,"  he  said,  smiling  again. 
"  Here  is  the  money  for  your  clothes.  You 
can  have  no  scruple  about  taking  it  now,  for 
you  have  well  earned  it." 

"  I  did  not  think  of  being  paid,  sir,"  was 
the  blushing  reply. 

"  Nevertheless  this  is  your  due" — thrusting 
the  money  into  his  hand. 

When  lie  had  gone,  Jack  found  himself  pos- 
sessor of  thirty  dollars. 


JACK    AND    HIS    SAVIOUR.  243 

The  excitement  and  fatigue  of  the  previous 
night  prevented  his  sitting  up  late  to  study. 
When  he  lay  down  on  his  humble  couch  to 
rest,  he  did  so  with  the  sweet  assurance  that 
Jesus  his  Saviour  was  with  him  :  his  preserver, 
his  guide,  his  elder  brother.  Through  all  the 
scenes,  the  cares,  and  excitements  of  the  day, 
this  one  reflection  which  brought  him  peace  ; 
"  Jesus  is  mine  —  I  have  chosen  him  ;  he 
bought  me  and  I  am  his,"  followed  him  every- 
where. 

"  I  must  tell  Edward,"  he  said  to  himself. 
"  I  must  try  to  bring  Edward  to  love  my 
Saviour." 

Then  he  reflected  how  pleased  Mrs.  Holland 
would  be  that  his  mother's  prayers  had  been 
answered,  and  he  brought  to  repentance  and 
faith  in  Christ.  He  loved  her  more  than  ever. 
He  loved  all  the  people  of  God.  There  seemed 
to  be  a  new  tie  formed  between  him  and  Mr. 
Sennott.  Oh,  how  happy  he  was  ! 


244  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

He  awoke  the  next  morning  wondering 
whether  Mr.  Caswell  was  a  Christian.  Before 
he  had  made  the  fire  the  clerk  knocked  at  the 
closed  door.  He  noticed  something  unusual 
in  the  glance  with  which  the  youth  regarded 
him,  and  presently  said  : 

"  You  made  a  good  day  of  it  yesterday." 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  I  mean  you  made  some  powerful  friends. 
Mr.  Sennott  told  me  what  the  judge  said." 

Jack  looked  full  in  his  face  a  moment,  and 
then  with  a  slight  blush  said,  "  Yesterday, 
or  the  night  before,  I  gained  the  best  friend  I 
ever  had." 

"  Indeed,  and  who  was  that  ?  " 

"  Jesus,  my  Saviour.  He  has  promised  to 
be  my  friend  forever." 

The  clerk  gazed  a  moment  at  the  lad,  then 
shrugged  his  shoulders  and  turned  away.  But 
he  did  not  readily  forget. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

JACK   AN"   ACTIVE   CHRISTIAN. 

THROM  this  time  the  old  friendly  feeling  be- 
-*-  tweeii  Alfred  and  the  young  clerk  revived. 
The  youth  came  often  to  his  father's  office,  and 
never  seemed  better  pleased  than  when  Jack 
was  at  leisure  to  talk  with  him. 

Mr.  Sennott  watched  the  growing  intimacy, 
at  first  with  some  anxiety.  Alfred,  the  last 
one  of  five  children,  had  been  carried  through 
the  sicknesses  to  which  children  are  heir  only 
by  the  most  tender  nursing  ;  and  even  now 
the  disease  which  had  so  early  carried  off  one 
and  another  seemed  ever  ready  to  appear. 

Alfred,  therefore,  was  the  darling  of  his  pa- 

245 


246  NEVER    GIVE   UP. 

rents  ;  and  it  was  no  wonder  the  lawyer  should 
carefully  guard  him  from  the  leas't  injurious 
influences. 

But  Jack  could  not  live  day  after  day  as  he 
now  tried  to  live  by  the  rules  of  the  blessed 
volume  which  had  carried  his  mother  to  the 
gates  of  paradise,  without  winning  the  entire 
confidence  of  his  employer.  It  soon  became 
evident  to  him  that  Mr.  Sennott  was  pleased 
with  the  influence  he  was  obtaining  over  the 
young  lad,  and  resolved  that  by  the  grace  of 
God  this  influence  should  be  used  only  for 
good. 

Thus  more  than  a  year  passed  —  Jack,  or 
John,  as  Mr.  Sennott  invariably  called  him, 
growing  constantly  in  the  affection  and  esteem 
of  the  whole  family.  He  now  had  a  room 
next  to  Alfred's  in  the  lawyer's  house,  and 
took  most  of  his  meals  there.  This  was  first 
brought  about  during  a  short  sickness  of  Alfred, 
when  lie  was  constantly  mourning  for  his  com- 


JACK   AN    ACTIVE    CHRISTIAN.  247 

panion.  Within  a  few  months,  too,  he  had 
begun  to  attend  the  Latin  school.  But  with 
all  this  attention  and  advancement  the  lad 
maintained  his  former  humble  manners,  and 
was  even  more  respectful  and  attentive  to  the 
wishes  of  his  benefactor.  He  continued  to 
take  care  of  the  office,  and  to  render  all  the 
aid  there  by  way  of  copying  which  his  studies 
would  allow.  To  Edward  he  was  the  same 
earnest,  devoted  friend,  even  more  devoted 
than  formerly  ;  for,  until  young  Norris  went 
to  the  West,  he  did  not  fail  to  urge  him  to 
give  his  heart  to  the  Saviour. 

During  the  third  year  of  Jack's  connection 
with  the  lawyer,  the  symptoms  of  consumption, 
which  had  so  alarmed  Alfred's  parents  and  the 
family  physician,  became  more  confirmed.  The 
mother's  heart  sank  within  her  as  she  heard 
the  hollow  cough,  and  saw  the  bright  hectic 
flush  which  every  afternoon  beautified  the 
cheeks  of  her  darling  boy.  These  were  too 


248  XEVER    GIVE    UP. 

familiar  signs.  She  knew,  alas !  too  well 
what  they  betokened. 

The  insidious  disease  which  the  physician 
said  had  for  a  long  time  been  undermining  the 
constitution  of  the  sick  youth,  now  progressed 
alarmingly.  The  incessant  expectoration,  the 
dry,  hacking  cough,  the  fearful  night  sweats, 
the  swollen  limbs,  followed  one  another  in  qiiick 
succession  until  it  was  evident  to  all  that  Al- 
fred was  fast  approaching  the  world  of  spirits. 

It  was  all  in  vain  that  the  parents  hoped 
against  hope,  —  that  they  tried  to  persuade 
themselves  this  attack  was  only  a  severe  cold 
like  others  through  which  he  had  lived  and 
recovered  to  his  usual  health.  The  fiat  had 
gone  forth.  Alfred,  the  last  loved  and  perhaps 
the  best  beloved,  must  die. 

So  overwhelming  was  this  affliction  that 
neither  Mr.  or  Mrs.  Sennott  at  first  perceived 
that  Jack  had  left  school,  and  wras  seldom  ab- 
sent from  the  bedside  of  his  young  friend. 


JACK   AN    ACTIVE    CHRISTIAN.  249 

They  had  become  so  accustomed  to  seeing  him 
there  and  considering  him  one  of  the  family 
that  they  did  not  realize  his  worth  to  his  sick 
companion  until  one  morning  when  the  clerk 
sent  him  out  of  town  on  an  errand  which 
occupied  him  the  entire  day. 

"Where  is  John  ? "  —  "I  want  John  to  read 
to  me"  —  "I  wish  John  would  come  home," 
were  words  uttered  many  times  before  he  re- 
turned. It  was  all  in  vain  his  mother  offered 
to  read,  to  talk,  to  do  anything  for  his  comfort. 
No  one  but  John  could  do  what  he  wished ; 
and  the  mother  was  at  last  inexpressibly  af- 
fected to  find  that  John  was  missed  on  account 
of  his  prayers  and  talk  about  Jesus  the  friend 
of  sinners. 

Time  and  again  bending  eagerly  over  the 
sick  youth,  while  the  nurse  nodded  in  her 
chair,  had  Jack  repeated  the  story  of  his  finding 
his  Saviour  on  the  eventful  night  when  the 
the  oflicc  was  robbed  ;  time  and  again  —  for  the 


250  NEVER    GIVE   UP. 

stories  seemed  ever  fresh  and  ever  new  —  did 
Jack  reiterate  the  account  of  the  blind  man 
restored  to  sight  by  his  faith  in  Christ ;  the 
restoration  of  the  prodigal  to  his  father's  love 
by  penitence  and  confession  of  his  sins;  and 
the  wonderful  salvation  of  the  thief  on  the 
cross,  simply  by  believing  that  Jesus  had  the 
power  to  save  him. 

Mr.    Seunott  indeed   offered  many  fervent 

i 

prayers  for  and  with  his  son ;  -and  the  mother 
expressed  repeatedly  her  hope  that  he  would 
make  his  peace  with  God.  But  to  Jack  was 
given  the  precious  privilege  of  pointing  the 
weary  soul  to  the  haven  of  rest  ;  of  knowing 
that  he  cordially  embraced  Jesus  Christ  as  the 
Saviour  of  sinners  —  that  he  joyfully  looked 
forward  to  a  blessed  eternity  with  him  in 
heaven. 

The  end  came  at  last,  and  all  was  peace. 
A  few  minutes  before  he  breathed  out  his  soul 
to  God,  Alfred,  who  was  lying  on  his  father's 


JACK   AN    ACTIVE    CHRISTIAN.  251 

breast,  feebly  reached  forth  his  hand,  and, 
grasping  that  of  Jack,  placed  it  within  his 
mother's,  at  the  same  time  gasping  with  diffi- 
culty the  words,  "  He  will  —  be  your  —  son.  " 

"  Yes,  yes,  Alfred  ;  your  wish  shall  be  grati- 
fied," both  father  and  mother  responded. 

A  bright  smile  spread  all  over  the  pallid 
countenance  ;  then  he  whispered  the  words, 
"  Pray  for  me." 

Soon  all  was  over ;  but  as  the  stricken  pa- 
rents gazed  on  that  marble  form,  they  thanked 
God  that  they  still  had  a  son. 

And  truly  in  after  years  they  were  grateful 
that  the  desolate  void  made  in  their  hearts 
was  filled  by  the  loving,  dutiful  attentions  of 
their  adopted  child. 

The  year  after  Alfred's  death  John  went  to 
college,  where  the  early  discipline  he  had 
received  was  of  great  use  to  him.  He  was 
studious,  and  faithful,  and  gained  the  cordial 
affection  of  his  classmates. 


252  NEVER   GIVE    UP. 

Our  young  friend  was  now  much  improved 
in  his  personal  appearance,  —  his  earnest,  soul- 
lit  eyes,  and  his  hair,  which  still  waved  over  his 
forehead  as  of  old,  being  all  that  would  remind 
one  of  the  little  news-boy. 

He  was  simple  and  unobtrusive  in  his  man- 
ners, even  when  he  had  abundant  wealth  lav- 
ished upon  him,  and  when  he  had  attained 
a  high  standing  in  his  class  ;  but  he  owned 
to  himself  that  his  besetting  sin  was  pride. 
Though  his  reveries  were  somewhat  more  rea- 
sonable than  when  at  the  Lodging-House  he 
used  to  imagine  Mr.  Sennott  introducing  him 
as  "  Hon.  John  Stetson,  your  Senator,"  yet 
they  often  led  him  a  wild  chase  far  into  the 
future.  At  such  times  he  would  unlock  a 
small  trunk  which  he  constantly  kept  at  the 
head  of  his  bed,  and  take  from  it  the  suit  of 
clothes  he  had  worn  when  he  first  met  his  kind 
benefactor.  These,  made  for  him  by  his 
mother  from  a  coarse  suit  of  his  deceased 


JACK   AN    ACTIVE    CHRISTIAN,  253 

father's,  were  worn  threadbare,  and  patched 
with  a  variety  of  colors.  But  how  well  he  re- 
membered the  effort  it  had  cost  the  sick  woman 
to  render  them  fit  for  service,  when  there  were 
no  means  to  procure  others. 

The  sight  of  these  garments  never  failed  to 
soften  his  heart,  and  call  forth  gratitude  to 
that  kind  Being  who  had  watched  over  him 
from  his  infancy,  and  guided  his  steps  to 
such  a  pleasant  path.  On  leaving  college  his 
adopted  father  gave  him  a  few  months  to  decide 
upon  a  profession,  at  the  same  time  intimating 
the  pleasure  it  would  give  his  parents  should 
he  choose  the  law. 

John  was  for  some  time  undecided  between 
this  and  the  ministry,  but  finally  acceded  to 
the  wish  of  his  kind  friends,  and  entered  Mr. 
Sennott's  office  once  more  as  a  candidate  for 
the  bar,  to  which  in  due  time  he  was  admitted, 
with  great  honor  to  himself,  amidst  the  proph- 


254  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

ecies  of  his  friends  that  he  would  attain   to 
eminence  in  his  chosen  profession. 

About  the  time  Mr.  John  Stetson  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar,  Mr.  Rogers  received  the 
following  letter  from  Mr.  Norris,  from  whom, 
through  all  these  years,  he  had  kept  up  an 
occasional  correspondence. 

"  MY  DEAR  SIR  :  —  Having  an  hour  or  two 
of  leisure  this  evening,  I  think  I  cannot  spend 
it  more '  pleasantly  or  profitably  than  by  writ- 
ing you. 

"  I  am  sitting  in  my  own  parlor  surrounded 
by  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres, 
well  stocked  with  horses,  cattle,  sheep,  and  poul- 
try. More  than  all  this,  I  have  as  good  a  wife 
as  there  is  in  the  United  States,  and  a  chubby 
boy  of  six  months  that  I  would  not  exchange 
for  all  the  wealth  of  your  city. 

"I  often  wonder  as  I  review  the  ways  of 
God  with  me.  Left  a  poor,  homeless  lad,  glad 
to  make  a  meal  from  the  refuse  of  the  streets, 


JACK   AN    ACTIVE    CHRISTIAN.  255 

or  to  find  a  lodging  beneath  a  cart,  what  would 
have  become  of  me  had  not  the  overruling 
hand  of  a  kind  Heavenly  Father  watched  over 
me  and  directed  me  to  the  news-boys'  happy 
home. 

"  I  was  particularly  led  to  this  train  of  re- 
flection by  an  incident  that  occurred  at  our 
last  county  court,  when  I  happened  to  be  a 
juryman. 

"  A  man  was  arrested  for  stealing  horses 
and  an  attempt  to  murder  a  gentleman  who 
disputed  his  claim  to  one  of  them. 

"  I  thought  when  he  was  brought  into  court 
that  his  countenance  looked  somewhat  familiar, 
and  taxed  my  memory  to  recall  where  I  had 
seen  him.  His  name,  he  said,  was  George 
Brown  ;  but  he  proved  to  be  my  old  acquaint- 
ance Arnold.  I  don't  think  he  recognized 
me  until  I  was  leaving  the  Court-house.  A 
servant  from  the  hotel  was  holding  my  spirited 
horses  at  the  door,  when  some  one  addressed 


256  NEVER   GIVE  UP. 

me  as  Mr.  Norris.  He  turned  from  the  officer 
who  was  leading  him  to  prison,  and  gave  me  a 
searching  look.  Poor  man  !  how  I  pitied  him ! 

"  The  next  day  I  visited  him  in  his  cell. 
For  a  long  time  he  was  sullen,  and  refused  to 
answer  my  questions ;  but  at  length  his  curi- 
osity was  aroused, 'and  he  asked  me,  with  an 
oath,  how  it  was  I  had  become  so  rich. 

"  When  I  told  him  that  it  was  by  my  own 
persevering  industry,  with  the  blessing  God 
promised  every  honest  laborer,  he  laughed  in 
my  face.  He  insisted  that  I  had  married  a 
fortune.  I  told  him  my  wife's  father  built  and 
furnished  our  house  ;  but  beyond  that  every 
cent  was  my  own  earnings,  —  though  I  had 
made  a  good  deal  by  the  rise  of  land  near  my 
farm. 

"  He  seemed  very  thoughtful  after  this,  and 
before  I  left  confessed  if  he  were  fifteen  years 
younger  he  would  try  his  luck  on  a  western 
farm. 


JACK   AN   ACTIVE    CHRISTIAN.  257 

"  I  did  what  I  could  to  urge  upon  him  the 
claims  of  God,  but  could  not  see  that  I  made 
much  impression.  I  have  been  twice  since,  but 
he  has  refused  to  see  me ;  so  now  I  must  leave 
him  with  One  who  has  power  to  turn  the 
hardest  heart. 

"  As  for  myself,  though  I  am  painfully  con- 
scious of  falling  far  short  of  my  duty  both 
toward  my  Maker  and  my  fellow-men  ;  yet  I 
do  try  in  my  humble  way  to  show  that  my 
religion  is  not  all  in  my  profession. 

"  My  wife,  who  is  a  very  devout  woman,  is  a 
vast  help  to  me  in  my  Christian  course.  I 
have  often  told  you  how  religiously  she  was 
brought  up,  and  we  strive  to  order  our  little 
household  according  to  the  pattern  of  my 
good  father-in-law  Mr.  Monson. 

"  I  thank  you  for  the  reports.  They  come 
to  us  like  old  friends.  My  wife  is  as  interested 

in  them  as   I   am.     I   only  hope   every  poor 
17 


258  NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

child  in  your  great  city  will  find  a  friend  as 
kind  and  faithful  as  you  have  been  to  me. 

"  Don't  you  ever  think  of  taking  a  vacation  ? 
If  you  do,  remember  that  I,  as  one  of  your 
earliest  scholars,  have  a  great  claim  on  you. 
Believe  me,  dear  sir,  you  would  he  welcomed 
with  the  affection  grateful  children  feel  to- 
ward a  kind  parent. 

"  Please  give  my  regards  to  my  old  friend 
Stetson.     I  am  rejoiced  to  hear  of  his  success. 
"  Yours,  very  gratefully, 

EDWARD  NORRIS." 

About  a  month  later  Mr.  Norris  wrote  again : 

"  MY  DEAR  SIR  :  —  I  have  had  reason  to  know 
of  late  that  life  is  made  up  of  checkered  scenes 
of  joy  and  sorrow.  My  wife's  mother  died  last 
week,  after  a  short  but  severe  illness,  leaving 
her  husband  only  the  hope  of  spending  an  eter- 
nity with  her  in  praising  God  to  sustain  him  in 
his  deep  affliction. 

"  There  is  one  daughter  at  home  old  enough 


JACK   AN    ACTIVE    CHRISTIAN.  259 

to  keep  her  father's  house,  but  she  will  be 
obliged  to  have  some  one  to  assist  her  about  the 
work.  There  could  not  be  a  better  place  for 
the  poor  orphans  ;  and  after  talking  it  over  with 
my  wife  I  have  concluded  to  visit  your  city  and 
bring  back  a  young  girl,  if  a  suitable  one  can 
be  found.  My  object  in  writing  is  to  request 
you  to  give  my  letter  to  the  Matron  of  the  Girls' 
Lodging-House,  that  she  may  select  a  child  if 
possible  before  I  reach  the  city. 

"  Excuse  me  for  troubling  you  with  this ;  but 
I  am  sure  you  will  be  glad  to  assist  in  rescu- 
ing one  more  poor  child  from  the  haunts  of 
vice,  and  placing  her  where  she  may  be  taught 
her  accountability  to  God,  and  how  to  support 
herself  in  an  honorable  manner. 

"  Yours,  truly, 

EDWARD  NORRIS." 

And  now  before  I  close  my  story  I  must  say 
a  word  concerning  the  widow  Holland  and  her 
daughters,  as  their  acquaintance  had  so  im- 


260  NEVER    GIVE   UP. 

portant  an  influence  on  the  character  of  our 
news-boys. 

Louise  Holland  married  and  removed  to 
the  West,  while  her  mother,  now  an  elderly 
lady,  whose  snow-white  cap  and  gold-bowed 
glasses  were  the  delight  of  her  little  grand- 
children, continued  to  live  with  her  daughter 
Mrs.  Sears. 

Of  the  latter  it  is  sufficient  to  say,  that, 
having  learned  by  painful  experience  the  suf- 
ferings to  which  the  virtuous  poor  are  exposed 
in  so  large  a  city,  she  spent  much  time  and 
money  for  their  relief. 

In  after  life,  when  listening  to  the  throng 
of  news-boys  singing  their  monotonous  song 

under  her  window,  she  often  repeated  to  her 

• 

children  incidents  in  the  life  of  Jack  and  Ned, 
so  intimately  connected  with  her  own,  and 
thanked  God  for  the  blessed  institution  which 
had  done  so  much  for  this  growing  class  in 
our  community. 


c 


A     000057980 


